Proceedings of the 12th European Conference on Knowledge ...

7. Recommendations
Emmanuel Innocents Edoun and Valdenisa Norris
It is now widely recognised that knowledge assets and technological enhancements are essential
strategic resource for any organisation to achieve sustainability and competitive advantage.
Organisations are now, more than ever, aware <strong>of</strong> this unique resource; <strong>the</strong>refore, <strong>the</strong>y should plan to
manage it more effectively through various initiatives including knowledge management projects and
practices. In this way, <strong>the</strong>se organisations will survive and could improve <strong>the</strong>ir result-based
performance. The knowledge management practices should be monitored and evaluated in line with
organisational performances (Wagner et al 2005). As knowledge is created and disseminated within
<strong>the</strong> organisation, it should have a direct impact in <strong>the</strong> organisation’s performance and improve its
readiness to face future challenges and capitalise on new opportunities.
As <strong>the</strong> world is becoming a global village, many schools are becoming increasingly aware that <strong>the</strong>ir
main assets are <strong>the</strong>ir learners who need to enter <strong>the</strong> job market in <strong>the</strong> future. With this aim in mind,
<strong>the</strong> strength <strong>of</strong> a school as a learning organisation will depend on <strong>the</strong> successful managing <strong>of</strong>
knowledge by its members. This will require trained and committed teachers but <strong>the</strong>y, in turn, need
<strong>the</strong> leadership <strong>of</strong> highly effective principals and <strong>the</strong> support <strong>of</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r senior and middle managers.
Effective leadership and management by principals, inspectors and school staff are key factors in
bringing about high standards <strong>of</strong> pupils’ achievement and school improvement.
However <strong>the</strong> initial findings reveal that, “Leadership” is an important element that harnesses <strong>the</strong>
energies and commitment <strong>of</strong> staff, pupils and parents, and provides a clear direction for <strong>the</strong> work and
development <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> school. This type <strong>of</strong> leadership should be instrumental in enhancing <strong>the</strong> essence
<strong>of</strong> Knowledge Management in order to ensure <strong>the</strong> efficient administration and organisation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
school. Day-to-day management expertise without effective leadership can undermine knowledge
management strategies.
This can result in a school that runs efficiently but lacks a sense <strong>of</strong> vision and purpose. The best
leaders put pupils’ learning at <strong>the</strong> centre <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir leadership and management activities. The best
principals are <strong>the</strong> driving force in taking a school forward and ensure a strong commitment to high
standards in all aspects <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> work <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> school. Successful leaders should continually look for ways
<strong>of</strong> doing things better by implementing knowledge management strategy so that <strong>the</strong> country can
benefit from <strong>the</strong> learners who become more knowledgeable to solve problems that can hinders <strong>the</strong>
communities at all levels <strong>of</strong> government. These learners are seen as <strong>the</strong> power <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> nation as
slogans convincingly hold that ‘Knowledge is Power’.
8. Conclusions
Knowledge management is instrumental in shaping change within organisations, schools, colleges
or universities. The fact that knowledge is considered to be power means that, if citizens are
adequately equipped with knowledge, <strong>the</strong>y will form <strong>the</strong> core <strong>of</strong> what is termed as intellectual assets.
It is <strong>the</strong>refore evident that, good leadership with <strong>the</strong> support <strong>of</strong> good governance is a contributing
factor in <strong>the</strong> effective management <strong>of</strong> Knowledge.
The essence <strong>of</strong> knowledge management is <strong>the</strong>refore to use <strong>the</strong> intellectual assets for <strong>the</strong>
transformation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> society in a positive manner by using IT spectrum to sustain development as
digital technologies fuel exponential growth in society’s ability to generate, exchange, and consume
information. The knowledge society is one where growth, development and innovation are driven by
optimal use <strong>of</strong> information and information products (Bodo, 2006).
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