The study was intended to identify the knowledge community, analyze existing knowledge and knowledge needs and gaps in the Tyolornnqa estuary area. The work related to this research was carried out primarily in the context of the Knowledge Management sub-programme of the Eastern Cape Estuary Management Programme, a research project managed by the Institute of Natural Resources.
Interview guide for the Knowledge Management Project 112
Definition of key concepts
- Major issues and pressures affecting estuarine environments
- Declining water and sediment quality
- Degradation and loss of estuarine habitats
- Unsustainable use of estuarine resources
- The Eastern Cape Estuaries Management Programme
- Tyolomnqa Estuary
- Institutional arrangements in the Tyolomnqa Estuary
It is one of the permanently open systems and the main source of water in the East Cape region. A deeper understanding of the issues facing estuarine managers is needed to promote effective estuarine management.
Problem statement
- Purpose of the study
- Research objectives
- Research questions
According to Liebowitz et al, one of the critical first steps in the knowledge management area is to perform a knowledge audit", to identify where knowledge is created, where it already exists and where it is needed to achieve knowledge management objectives. The local institutional arrangement in the Tyolomnqa estuary is a non-traditional and non-formalized structure and therefore the development of a context-specific knowledge audit model was essential.
Justification for the study
Scope and limitations of the study
This study focused its efforts on the areas of knowledge management and its application in the environmental sector such as estuaries. This was considered important to identify the shortcomings associated with knowledge management theory and how it has been applied in other sectors such as the environmental sector.
Methodology
The study focused on conducting a knowledge audit in order to develop a context-specific model for non-traditional structures. The literature review discussed the aspects of knowledge management in terms of describing the situation from which this concept arose and its approaches.
Thesis outline
Chapter two presents a review of various aspects of knowledge management in terms of its emergence and approaches. Knowledge management, as it developed rapidly in the business sector, is gaining acceptance in other sectors.
Summary
Carrillo (2000) opined that the emergence of knowledge management appears to be, to a large extent, driven by business. One of the main benefits that knowledge management offers is its potential to counteract this effect.
Approaches to knowledge management
- The role of the knowledge audit
- Defining a knowledge strategy
- Decisions to share knowledge
- Deciding what to share
- Mechanisms to share knowledge
Rubenstein-Montanoet al., (2001) emphasized that knowledge should be organized and stored in the knowledge management system. In other words, the knowledge audit identifies those areas of the organization that produce knowledge. In fact the purpose of the knowledge audit is to discover or discover the knowledge that adds value to the organization.
The information obtained will therefore help the organization plan the next step in the knowledge management process. An important part of the knowledge audit should be assessing factors that may hinder or promote knowledge sharing (Keller & Levene 2001:31). In other words, the role of the knowledge audit locates and demonstrates how knowledge flows within an organization.
This chapter discussed the role of the knowledge audit and knowledge mapping in the implementation of a knowledge management initiative.
Instrumentation
The population included estuary users from villages on the east and west shores of the Tyolomnqa estuary. As stated in Chapter One, the east coast villages consisted of riparian owners from Chalumna Estates and Chalumna Conservancy and the west coast consisted of villagers from Phozi, Xhama, Sandile and Ncera villages. In addition, representatives from the Tyolomnqa Forum and Buffalo City Council were involved, as they play a role in estuary management and policing.
The sample was considered representative of the population and appropriate for this study. The protocol was divided into four sections that captured different aspects of the knowledge audit process. The use of themes helped to obtain in-depth information about the state of knowledge in the Tyolomnqa Estuary.
Data collection methods
- Unstructured interviews
- Focus groups
Doyle (2001) noted that focus groups do not allow findings to be generalized to larger populations. Despite these limitations, focus groups were used to gain in-depth insight into the information and knowledge that Tyolomnqa estuarine communities use to manage estuaries. Greenbaum (1997) noted that the selection of people in focus groups is based on their common characteristics related to the issue being discussed.
The use of focus groups and unstructured interviews aimed at obtaining in-depth information about the knowledge issues surrounding the communities of the Tyolomnqa estuary. The data collection method, such as the focus groups and unstructured interviews, were very effective methods to identify the knowledge sources, gaps and needs in the Tyolomnqa estuary community. Focus groups and unstructured interviews were used to collect data and a protocol was developed to guide the discussions.
The themes used in the study helped determine the state of knowledge of the communities in the Tyolomnqa estuary.
Introduction
Presentation of results
- Unstructured interview results
- Problems impacting on the Tyolomnqa Estuary
In the third session of the interviews, participants were asked if they had any major concerns and problems regarding the Tyolomnqa Estuary. I live on the banks of the Tyolomnqa estuary; that is why I am an interested and involved person in the future of the estuary. Participants highlighted problems they experienced in the Tyolomnqa Estuary, which led to the third session of focus group discussions.
The third discussion session focused on asking participants to explain the problems they experienced in the Tyolomnqa estuary. Tyolomnqa estuary communities approached the Natural Resources Institute to seek expert advice on estuary management. Some respondents obtained information by attending researcher-led workshops in the Tyolomnqa estuary area.
Based on the results of the study, it is clear that the communities in the Tyolomnqa estuary have little knowledge about the nature of the river.
Summary
This chapter presents the development of the context-specific knowledge audit model for the Tyolomnqa Estuary communities and for non-traditional and non-formalised organizations. This phase of the process is very important because it provides an overview of the nature of the community. Resources could refer to the assets that are stored in the area and use them for the benefit of society.
Involving the community in the profiling process usually results in a more comprehensive and accurate description of the community. The results of the community profile can be used to identify the community's knowledge with regard to e.g. to preserve estuaries. The fourth stage of community profiling involves the selection of an appropriate method or approach to collect data from the various stakeholders in the Tyolomnqa Estuary.
The fifth phase of the community profile involves using the results to identify available information and knowledge and identifying knowledge gaps, particularly in the area of local estuary management.
Identification of knowledge
Identify categories of knowledge created by the knowledge generators and carriers, for example wealth creation skills, know-how on impact assessments and estuarine habitats. Create a knowledge map to show knowledge generators and carriers, and categories of knowledge and storage locations. This is typically part of the knowledge audit step which seeks to identify stores, sinks and constraints dealing with knowledge in a targeted area and then identifies what knowledge is missing and available knowledge, who has the knowledge and how the knowledge is used (Liebowitz 2001: 7).
One of the goals of the knowledge audit is to identify what knowledge is missing in the targeted area and to determine who needs the missing knowledge (Dataware Technologies, Inc. 1998; Kelleher & Levene 2001). This kind of knowledge gap can have an impact on the achievement of local estuary management objectives, i.e. the sustainability and conservation of the estuary. There are several possibilities that can lead to the identification of knowledge gaps and knowledge needs in an institutional arrangement such as the Tyolomnqa Estuary.
After identifying knowledge gaps and knowledge needs in a specific area, it is important to determine the knowledge requirements, that is, to determine the type of knowledge needed to perform a specific task, such as a method or approach and manuals or guidelines.
Summary
- Knowledge sources and knowledge community
As a result, knowledge management has gained its popularity due to the emerging needs to incorporate change in the organization (Yu 2002). Estuary management is a knowledge-intensive task, challenging communities in the Tyolomnqa Estuary to engage in knowledge management to ensure the continued success and effective management of their estuary. This is due to a lack of focus and a lack of universally accepted knowledge management methodologies.
Information review as the first step towards effective knowledge management: an opportunity for the specialist librarian. Argumentative-speaking communities of knowledge management and rhetorical strategies in the development of knowledge management. Journal of Information Technology.
Interview guide for the Knowledge Management Project
We'll take notes and record the discussion so we don't miss anything you have to say. Although we will ask you to tell us your names so we can address each other by name, when we write the report we will not include your names and no one will know who said what and we would not write your names. We want this to be a group discussion, so feel free to respond to me and other members in the group without waiting to be called.
However, we would appreciate it if only one person speaks at a time and if you can give a speaker an opportunity to complete what he/she wants to say. There are a lot of things we want to discuss, so sometimes we can go a little over the time limit.
Participant Introduction (30 Minutes)
1 Hour
Do you use it for: (Don't give them the list to start with). o Harvesting craft and housing materials. o Collect traditional herbs. Is there anything you do or are there any rules that govern the use of the estuary? For example, there are times of the year when people are not allowed to fish.
After receiving some indication of the rules or activities, ask about the specifics of protection and conservation. Are you currently involved in the protection and conservation of the estuary and its resources? Procedure: I want each of you to write the answers on the attached card and then we will have an open discussion (Tyolomnqa forum only).
1 Hour
