Managing knowledge
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| 2 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) | |
| Examination | No residential school |
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This course is available for study in the countries shown.
Summary
Although the importance of knowledge to organisations has long been recognised, this course represents a refocusing of managerial thought and practice. It takes a broad view of the subject that includes communication, sense-making, learning, intangible assets, human resources, organisational knowledge and knowledge technologies. Knowledge creation, situated in a local context, is related to international interconnectedness and globalisation. By the end of the course, you should be able to differentiate between simplistic knowledge management ‘solutions’ and the process of knowing how to ‘make a difference’ – the practice of power – which lies at the heart of effective management.
This course is offered with a combination of face-to-face and online tuition. If you would prefer entirely online tuition please use the course code BZX823.
Course content
This course is for managers who deal with knowledge in a variety of organisational contexts, ranging from multinationals, small and medium-sized businesses to the public sector and charities. It aims to:
- introduce you to different conceptual frameworks and practical management tools
- explore the strengths and weaknesses of different knowledge-based approaches to management
- enhance your ability to ‘see what matters’.
Delivery of the course benefits from advanced student-centred supported open learning techniques that are designed to support productive tutor-student interaction and maximise your chance to learn.
Studying B823 will help you to:
- differentiate between managing knowledge in local and global contexts
- develop a critical perspective on communication, learning and sense-making
- make sense of intangible assets
- understand the challenge of managing ‘knowledge workers’
- appreciate the difference between tacit knowledge and explicit knowledge
- take advantage of information and communication technologies
- apply knowledge-based approaches to management
- think critically about what to change and how to change.
Entry
You can take this course on its own, or include it in a number of our postgraduate programmes including some of the OU Business School (OUBS) masters degrees. To register for an OUBS masters degree you must normally have a degree or equivalent professional qualification, and you should be aged at least 25 and have significant experience at middle management level or higher. If you are taking the course as part of the MBA, we expect you to have already completed Stage 1 and the compulsory Stage 2 course Strategy (B820). If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
Qualifications
B823 is an optional course in our
- Postgraduate Certificate in Technology Management (C49)
- Postgraduate Certificate in Creative and Knowledge Management (C81)
- Postgraduate Certificate in Systems Thinking in Practice (C72)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Computing for Commerce and Industry (C02)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Information Systems (E10)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Management of Software Projects (E19)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Networks and Distributed Systems (E18)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Systems Thinking in Practice (E28)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Technology Management (E08)
- MBA (F02)
- Master of Public Administration (F44)
- MBA (Technology Management) (F03)
- MSc in Computing for Commerce and Industry (F05)
- MSc in Human Resource Management (F40)
- MSc in Information Systems (F37)
- MSc in Management of Software Projects (F43)
- MSc in Networks and Distributed Systems (F42)
- MSc in Software Development (F26)
- MSc in Systems Thinking in Practice (F47)
- MSc in Technology Management (F36)
- MSc in Strategic Management of Information Systems (F54)
Some postgraduate qualifications allow study to be chosen from other subject areas. We advise you to refer to the relevant qualification descriptions for information on the circumstances in which this course can count towards these qualifications because from time to time the structure and requirements may change.
If you have a disability or additional requirement
The course depends heavily on reading and writing text on computer screens. Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) versions of printed material are available. Some Adobe PDF components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader. Large print versions of the course materials can be provided on request. Other alternative formats of the course materials may be available in the future. Our Services for disabled students website has the latest information about availability.
You will need to spend considerable amounts of time using a personal computer and the internet. After you have registered you will receive detailed information about the facilities available to help with the academic programme.
If you are a new student, or new to courses using a computer or the internet, you will need to inform us of your particular needs as soon as possible, as some of our support services may take several weeks to arrange. Details of how to do this and our range of support services are described in our booklet Meeting Your Needs which you can download or request from our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
You can also find information about accessible course materials, financial support and the Disabled Students' Allowance, equipment and other services, on our Services for disabled students website. It also includes our contact details for advice and support both before you register and while you are studying.
Course materials
What's included
Eight course units, a course reader, access to online discussion forums and podcasts.
Computing requirements
This course has online computer activities – you can access these using a web browser that can play Flash and Shockwave.
You will need internet access and a computer. If you have purchased a new computer since 2002 it should meet your course computing requirements. Check our Technical Requirements section if your computer is older than this or is otherwise unusual.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You will have a tutor who will help you with the course material and mark and comment on your written work, and whom you can ask for advice and guidance. You will contact your tutor by telephone, correspondence, email and online forums. We may be able to offer day schools that you are strongly advised, but not obliged, to attend. Where day schools are held depends on the distribution of students taking each course. Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.
Assessment
The assessment details for this course can be found in the facts box above.
You will be expected to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) online through the eTMA system unless there are some difficulties which prevent you from doing so. In these circumstances, you must negotiate with your tutor to get their agreement to submit your assignment on paper.
Students also studied
Students who studied this course also studied at some time:
Future availability
The details given here are for the course that starts in November 2009. We expect it to be available once more, in November 2010.
How to register
To register a place on this course return to the top of the page and use the Click to register button. For more information and advice about registration see OU Study Explained.
About this page
A postgraduate course in Business and Management.
Study explained
- Course
- - a module of study that can count towards a qualification.
- Credit points
- - show how much study is required to complete a course or qualification. One credit point represents roughly 10 hours of study.
- Financial support
- - find out if you qualify for support with your fees with our eligibility checker.
- Study explained
- - all you need to know about studying with the OU.
Student Reviews
A very interesting aspect to mangement theory and practice. This course starts with a baffling study on 'taxonomies' or lists ...
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