A Critical Analysis Of How

‘Knowledge Management’ Contributes

To improved Organizational Performance at

‘General Electric’.

‘Imagination At Work’

Contents Page

3) Executive Summary.

4) Brief Introduction to Knowledge Management.

5) Knowledge Management Theory And Its Application To GE.

6) Support Central as A knowledge Sharing Platform at GE.

7) Six Sigma Strategies.

8) LEAN and CAP Knowledge Management Strategies.

9) Analysis of Knowledge Management Strategies and Knowledge Retention at GE.

10) SWOT Analysis of Knowledge Management Strategies at GE.

11) Identification of knowledge management problem and its solution and recommendations for GE future strategy.

12) Overall Conclusion to Report.

13) Bibliography

Executive Summary

This report was commissioned to analyze the knowledge management practices of General Electric and to provide a critical reflection of their effectiveness in relation to operational productivity. Research within this report focuses on theoretical discussions and further research to provide an understanding of what knowledge management is and why it is so essential to an organizations overall effectiveness. Findings reveal that the cultural of GE greatly effects knowledge sharing at all levels and the analysis of various information sharing systems allows for a better understanding of GE’s overall success. Retention of key knowledge workers has also been the difference between GE and other competitors, by allowing knowledge to remain in the business instead of relocating elsewhere GE have maintained an overall competitive advantage. Other findings suggest that although the platform for knowledge sharing is readily available at GE, employees have the choice to either share or retain knowledge. Analysis identifies that GE need to intrinsically motivate staff so that they can realize a greater self-satisfaction, by promoting this form of motivation, a healthier knowledge network can be created. GE are hugely successful on a global scale they have the financial power, the expertise and the knowledge to be able to use effective Knowledge management strategies to influence their operational performance. Findings in this report will please senior executives and if the further recommendations are accepted and applied it could lead to further organizational success for the future.

Brief Overview

General Electric is an American multinational conglomerate organisation which operates in multiple sectors including, power and water, oil and gas, energy, aviation, healthcare, transportation and capital. In 2014 GE achieved a sales revenue of $148.94 billion and was also notably recognised as one of the most innovative and best companies to work for. Their mission statement, ‘We have a relentless drive to invent things that matter, innovations that build, power, move and help cure the world’, indicates that the organisation places a huge emphasis on innovative thinking to produce and deliver products which will in turn create a more efficient solution to everyday problems around the world. Due to the scale of operations and variation of products at GE, it is also clear that they need to Manage knowledge effectively so that they can facilitate decision making, stimulate cultural change and also compete in an ever-changing business environment. This report will focus on the need to Manage knowledge effectively and also analyse the effectiveness of current knowledge management strategies which are in place. Drawing on further research the report will identify a ‘Knowledge management issue’ and then produce recommendations for the future, so that the company as a whole can continue to grow and move forward.

An Introduction to Knowledge Management And Its Application To General Electric

Over the past decade an increasing awareness of ‘knowledge management’ as a strategic tool, has enabled us to realise that