CHAPTER I FOUNDATION OF AGRICULTURAL

KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENTAgriculture is the backbone of the Ethiopian

economy 85% of the total employment, 45% of Gross

Domestic Product (GDP) and 90% of the foreign exchange earnings.

70 million of the population are food insecure due to many factors.

Traditional agriculture was human physical labor-oriented

Modern agriculture is intensified with ICT and its applications.

IMPORTANCE OF AGRICULTURESHARE OF AGRICULTUE IN ETHIOPIAYEAR GDP EXPORTS EMPLOYMENT

2002-2003 46.3% 76.9% 80%

2006-2007 44.9% 83.9% 80%

2009-2010 57% - 86%

1. Agriculture generates Employment2. Agriculture promotes Exports3. Agriculture increases the GDP4. Agriculture provides raw materials to the Industries5. Agriculture supplies Food

IMPORTANCE OF AGRICULTUREAgriculture is the backbone of Ethiopian economy.More than 60% world population in rural areas.A country is socially & politically stable only if it

possesses a very stable agriculture.The most basic problem of Mankind is Food Insecurity.FAO attack the ‘root causes’ of persistent Food

Security.A stable agriculture industry ensures a country of

Food Security.Food Security is considered one of the primary

requirements of any Nation.Agriculture determines the hunger-free status + good

HRD of the nation

IMPORTANCE OF AGRICULTUREAgriculture is closely connected to the rural areas where

the farmers have lands with the modern technologies.Agriculture supplies raw materials to the industries

employs one-third of the wage earners. Agriculture promotes National Economy, Total

Employment, Industrial Inputs, Food Supply, State Revenue and Trade.

Traditional Agriculture is the predominant Farming System & Practices of Crop Production.

Modern Agriculture is linked with marketing, export bring in the question of profit or loss.

Vision – “Think Globally, Act Locally”. It emphasizes the proper development of the individual’s intellectual , physical and spiritual capacities of his/her actions as the key to Agriculture and Rural Development.

DEFINITION OF KNOWLEDGE1. “Knowledge is the perception of agreement and

disagreement of two ideas”-John Locke (1689)2. “Knowledge is a range of information gained

from experience about technology environment and farming related conditions” (Hedja, 1999)

3. “Knowledge as the capacity for effective action, clearly distinguishing it from data and information” Peter Drucker

4. “Knowledge is information in the context to produce an actionable understanding” Ermias Sehai, 2006.

5.” Knowledge is a fluid mix of contextual information, values, experience and rules”

DEFINITION OF KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT Knowledge Management can be defined as a systematic

discipline of policies, processes and activities which empower organization to apply knowledge to improve effectiveness, innovation and quality.

Effective Knowledge Management means that an organization or network of partners (actors) gets the right information to the right person at the right time in a user friendly and accessible manner so that they can perform their jobs efficiently.

Knowledge Management is defined as the creation, organization, sharing and use of knowledge for development results.

KM comprises all possible human and technology oriented interventions and measures which are suited to optimize the production, reproduction, utilization and logistics of knowledge in an organization (Schyppel, 1996).

ADVANTAGE OF KNOWLEDGE1. Avoidance of Costly Mistakes Invention of new knowledge which helps to reduce

the cost of production, wastage and more utilitarian aspects

2. Faster Problem Solving Growing/updated knowledge have simplified the task

of the event. Eg. Networks3. Better Customer Solutions Problems are the stepping stone of finding a new

solution to gain access4. Gaining New Business Familiar companies will introduce new products

according the taste of the customer at very faster rate.

ADVANTAGE OF KNOWLEDGE5. Organization are Machines

Role of managers to recombine the parts to achieve those

outcomes. People treated organization as machines.

6. Only Material things are real

Difficult to work with invisible things, only material

objects can be perceived

7. Only numbers are real

8. Manage what you can measure

9. Technology Saves

GENESIS OF KNOWLEDGEPeter Ducker also defines “knowledge” is the

capacity for effective action, clearly distinguishing it from data and information.”

1. Knowledge is created by Human beings2. Human needs and motivation lead to create a

new knowledge3. Everybody is Knowledge Worker4. People to choose to their knowledge5. Knowledge Management is not about Technology6. Knowledge is born in Chaotic (State of being

confused) Process

DIMENSION OF KNOWLEDGEAccording to Engel (1997) identifies four different

dimensions of knowledgeFirst Knowledge can be seen as Cognition to

perceive;Second Knowledge is practical, intrinsically woven

in daily practical life.Third Knowledge can be perceived as a property of

the individual, experience, observation and reasoning

Fourth Knowledge is socially constructed, embedded in the social dynamics of organization, community or group.

KNOWLEDGE IDENTIFICATION1. Knowledge DispersedKnowledge society comes to a knowledge dispersion, in

which a competitive labor market reduces “skill” to scare locally relevant knowledge. Knowledge is most valuable complements to gain benefit.

2. Knowledge DistributedKnowledge distributed equally in all the aspects of

human life attempts at Standardization, Homogenization and Globalization.

3. Knowledge DividedDivision of Labour entails that the modernization as a

strategy designed to category the group of workers in different knowledge level. Eg. Skilled Labour, Semi-skilled Labour, Unskilled Labour.

SKILLS OF MANAGER1. Conceptual Skills – the ability to see

the overall organization and to integrate all part of the system.

2. Human Skills – the ability to work with, communicate with and understand other people.

3. Technical Skills – the ability to use specific knowledge, techniques and resources in performing work.

PERSPECTIVES OF KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENTKM is the deliberate and systematic coordination of an

organization’s people, technology, process and organizational structure in order to add value through reuse and innovation.

1. From the Business PerspectiveBusiness activity reflected in Strategy, Policy and Practice at all

levels of the organization and direct connection between an organization’s intellectual assets –both explicit (recorded) and tacit (personal know-how) and positive business results.

2. From the Cognitive Science or Knowledge Science Perspective

Insights, understandings and practical know-how are the fundamental resource to function intelligently.

Knowledge is also transformed to other manifestations – books, technology, practices and traditions within the organizations in general.

PERSPECTIVE OF KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT3. From the Technology PerspectiveKnowledge Management is the concept under which

information is turned into actionable knowledge.Flow of knowledge to the right people at the right time

efficient and effective decision making in their everyday business.

Multi-Dimensional Perspectives- Knowledge is Information - Sociologist Perspective- Knowledge is Positive Energy - Psychologist Perspective- Knowledge is a Resource - Agriculturalist Perspective- Knowledge is a Public Good - Technologist Perspective- Knowledge is Intellectual Capital - Economist Perspective

ADVANTAGE OF KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT KM relates to the Fact deals with knowledge as well as

information. Knowledge is a more subjective based on individual values, perceptions and experience.

DATA Raw transactional representations and outputs with inherent

meaning Content is directly observable or verifiable; a fact; Ex. Agriculture

production figure from CSA. Data is a set of facts, concepts or statistics Data is converted into information through 5Cs- Condensation,

Contextualization, Correction, Categorization and Convention.INFORMATION Information is a product of human mind. Knowledge is derived from Information. Farmers is getting information from DAs. “Information” is data + Meaning, but the “Knowledge” is

Information + Processing.

TYPES OF KNOWLEGETACIT AND EXPLICIT KNOWLEDGE

TACIT/IMPLICIT KNOWLEDGE Skill or capability derived from knowledge and

experience. Tacit knowledge resides in the mind of the individual.Tacit knowledge is more difficult to articulate or write

down with formal language. Tacit Knowledge is personal knowledge embedded in

individual experience and involves intangible factors such as personal belief, perspective and values.

Tacit knowledge can be communicated into words, models or numbers that can be understand.

TYPES OF KNOWLEGEEXPLICIT KNOWLEDGEEK can be recorded digitally in documents, records,

patents and other intellectual property artifacts. EK can be manipulated within the digital domain, can be

articulated into formal language, words, numbers can be processed by a computer, transmitted

electronically or stored in databases.Knowledge can be expressed, articulated easily in words

or numbers, and stored in databases. Eg.Telephone Directory, an instruction manual, Report

of research findings. EK can be categorized as either Structured (Documents,

databases) or Unstructured (e-mails, images, training courses and audio & video that can't be retrieved (Servin, 2005).

KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT STRATEGYKMS is a plan that describes how an organization, bureau or

office will share and apply its knowledge and expertise. KMS is an initiatives begin before strategy is a way of

consolidating, improving and systematizing existing activities.

Benefits of KMSIncrease awareness of good Knowledge Management

Practice Clear Communicable plan where you want to go, how you

plan to get there;Gain senior management commitment;Integrate KM into the corporate culture;Attract resources for implementation andProvide a basis against which you can measure progress.

HOW TO DEVELOP KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT STRATEGYSTEP 1: Look at Strategy and Objectives Important factors in guiding KMS are the overall strategy and

goals. KMS is consistent with human resource and information

technology strategies.STEP 2: Conduct a Knowledge Analysis• Knowledge Analysis (often called Knowledge Audit) can

reveal organization’s KM needs, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats (SWOT Analysis) and risks.

• KMS provides evidence-based assessment of where you need to focus your KM efforts.

STEP 3: Develop yr Strategy by answering 3 Questions• Where we are now?• Where do want to be? • How do we get there?

HOW TO DEVELOP A KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT STRATEGY

PEOPLE + PROCESS + TECHNOLOGY

FARMERS

What they want

When they want

Where they want

Agriculture Professionals

Where are we now

Where we want to go

How we plan to get there

WHY KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT IN AGRICULTURE

FOR RESEARCH SCIENTISTS AND GOVERNMENTS Disseminate information related to cultivation,

Market needs & trading. Help research scholars in R&D centers to interact

and manage vast information, analyze and take right decisions.

Share the experience gained in a project to avoid reinvention and reduce the cost of research.

Get quick input on innovative techniques on Agriculture.

Knowledge related to Food Industry and Herbal medicines can be linked to farming.

WHY KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT IN AGRICULTUREFOR FARMERSEmpower farmers with right information at the right

time to gain insights into the best practices in farming to maximize yield.

Easy access to rural area on Food Security farming, organic and herbal farming and market potential.

Help farmers interact with scientists and agriculture experts to dispel (dismiss) their ignorance.

Energize farmers and improve the self-esteem (confidence) of all the people in farming.

Right information to farmers help to reduce cost, effort and have good yield.

ORGANIZATION KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT According to Honeycutt, 2000 – unique knowledge

assets and unique challenges within their organizations processes and measures success in many ways.

According to Berger and Luckman, 1997 – Potential Information Technologies in Organizational Knowledge Management based on Fours sets of socially enacted Knowledge processes:

1. Knowledge Creation (Knowledge Construction)2. Knowledge Storage/Retrieval3. Knowledge Transfer and4. Knowledge Application

ORGANIZATION KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT

1.Knowledge Creation (Knowledge Construction) Developing new content and replacing existing content within the organization’s tacit and explicit knowledge (Pentland, 1995).

Computer mediated communication may increase the quality of knowledge creation by enabling forum for constructing and sharing believes, interpretation and new ideas (Henderson & Sussman, 1997)

Sharing ideas, dialog, information systems may enable new insights. (Boland et. al. 1994)

ORGANIZATION KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT 2. Knowledge Storage/Retrieval

Empirical studies shown that while organizations create knowledge and learn, they also forget (Argote et at., 1990)

Storage and retrieval of organization knowledge also referred to as organizational memory (Stein and Zwass, 1995)

Advanced computer storage technology such as Query Languages, Database Management Systems (DBMS) can be effective tools in enhancing memory.

These tools increase the speed at which organizational memory can be accessed.

ORGANIZATION KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT 3. KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER

Transfer Knowledge between individuals Transfer Knowledge from individuals to explicit sources Transfer from Individuals to Groups Transfer from between Groups Transfer Group to Organization ICT can increase Knowledge Transfer than formal lines. Encounter new knowledge through their class-knit

networks because individuals possess similar information. Expanding the Individuals network connection is central to

the knowledge diffusion process. Computer Network and electronic bulletin boards and

Discussion Groups create greater access to a new knowledge.

KNOWLEDGE TRANSFORMATION PROCESS

INTERNALIZATION - EXTERNALIZATIONInternalization The conversion of explicit knowledge

into tacit knowledge; understanding of new knowledge and its integration into existing mental models; accepting that this new knowledge is valuable and acting accordingly. 

Externalization The conversion of tacit knowledge into explicit knowledge-rendering previously unarticulated, undocumented, uncaptured content into a visible, tangible, and concrete form (e.g., recording a meeting, writing up minutes of a meeting).

TRANSFER OF KNOWLEDGE CAN BE THROUGH INFORMAL OR FORMAL CHANNELS

ORGANIZATION KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT 4.KNOWLEDGE APPLICATION

Knowledge based theory of the firm is that the source of competitive advantage resides in the application of the knowledge rather than knowledge itself. (Grant, 1996).

Technology can support knowledge application by embedding knowledge into organizational routines.

ICT can have a positive influence on knowledge integration and application by facilitating capturing, updating and accessibility of organizational directives ( Grant, 1996).

HISTORICAL AND SOCIOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS FOR KNOWLEDGE

Knowledge: Why now? Knowledge SocietyChief Knowledge Officers (CKOs)Power Society or money society or culture societyPursuit of knowledge “for its own sake” regardless of

its costs and benefits.Knowledge as a ResourceTaylorist - increasing the level of surveillance of one’s

own workersRising the level of efficiently demanded of the market

can take different forms.Fruits of their labors are reaped by the corporate

employers

HISTORICAL AND SOCIOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS FOR KNOWLEDGE

Knowledge is a Rational AttitudeEconomic scenario, Knowledge as a “Public good”. Profit is our concern and innovation new ideas Acquisition of intellectual property rights. Economists Views of Knowledge New knowledge generated on the basis new species. Factors of Production-land, labor, capital and Organization. Cost – Effectiveness to maximize the profitability 18th Century – Industrial Revolution 19th Century – Market Expansion

ECONOMISTS VIEWS OF KNOWLEDGE

20th Century – Information Explosion 21st Century – Documentation- Knowledge Recording

Global Success of Capitalism – USA End of the Cold Over Socialism – USSR War

Humanities & Arts - Value of Social Control

Natural Sciences – Building Nation’s Infrastructure & defense System

Free Exchange of Goods and Services Efficient way of communication

INTELLECTUAL CAPITAL According to Hirsch Knowledge is a “Positional good”. Understanding the nature of knowledge may be its practical

demonstration, other things being equal More people who has got naturally but less valuable it.K.Difference between Knowledge worker & Manual labors. Scientific Professionalization- Scientists have never been able

to even to agree on a code of professional conduct. U.S.Poet Robert Frost’s memorable line: “Good fences make

good neighbors”. “Self Organizing” environment that enables “reflexivity” Taylorist “Scientific Manager”, Knowledge worker, Manual

labor are relatively segregated from the Corporate goals.

KNOWLEDGE GAPMarxist terms, the owners of the means of production

– the shareholders, agents and manager were handling their investments.

Modern K.Management Guru Peter Drucker’s own innovation was to anticipate that the gap between knowledge workers and their managers.

As far as Agriculture is concerned that the knowledge gap between the Scientist and Farmers.

“Hands-on” approach applied to even skilled manual labors.

Knowledge engineering and the design of customized computers known as expert systems

PRACTICAL UTILITY OF KNOWLEDGEInformation Technology (IT) is as KM’s

revolutionary principle. The work associated with the concept of

“organizational learning”.Knowledge workers intellectually open,

accountable to each other but not to managers or clients.

Knowledge in Rural context Usual bombardment of mass media are invitations

to more “participatory” and “user-centered” (Kyng 1991)

Ethnographers act as facilitators to convince the local knowledge to the farmers at village level.

WHAT’S IN A NAME: KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT Renald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher adopted the

hard-line Western stance that coincided with the internal collapse of the Soviet regime.

When Soviet regime was failure that the adequate welfare of the population – welfare management rather than knowledge management.

Adam Smith suggested increasing the wealth of the nations.

Citizens responsibility as “contribution to society” for raising and distributing revenue.

Systematic collection of data about people’s lives which projected the strength of the history.

KNOWLEDGE AS INFORMATIONAugust Comte – Father of Sociology who designed to

harness innovations in science and technology.Benefiting the middle class and the ideology of

Socialism and Positivism. Statistics a slightly shortened version of “state-istics”. Social scientists have strong positive correlation

between faith in the state’s power and rely on statistical data as “indicators”

Daniel Bell (1973) Knowledge Society as a Power society.

Intellectual Technologies enabling administrative state to control the capitalism

Keynesian Economists & Alvin Gouldner (1970) called the “Welfare-warfare State”

ECONOMISTS VIEWS OF KNOWLEDGE Information as an agent needs to determine the

Market Strategy (Schiller, 1988). It can be understood in two course of action. (i)Consumption and (ii) Production.

(i) Consumption Difference between the Epistemologist and Economist

is most apparent. Epistemologist stresses the Quality control in

methodical search will lead to knowledge that enable the agent to perform better.

Economist presumes no such neat link between the “Quality of Information” and “Quality of Action”

ECONOMISTS VIEWS OF KNOWLEDGE(ii) ProductionInformation involves the construction of mediating

instruments i.e ICT.Agent to achieve the current goal but also other agents

to achieve related goals.Shortage of perfect information will affect the common

goal.Exchange of information pursue their own respective

personal goals. Knowledge emerges as the institution of money was

invented by German Sociologist Georg.Legal System is Intellectual Property Law imposes the

regulated fee, stability and growth of modern capitalist economies.

The Scientist: KM’s Enemy Number One?Scientists and Knowledge Managers should alert in

Research & Development division regardless of the resources.

Scientists regard knowledge as an end in itself, whereas managers regard it as a means toward market-driven ends.

High investment for market research by the scientists to measure the long-term market competition.

William Whewell (1830s) addressed the scientists who is systematically indulging the pursuit of knowledge.

Aristotle’s Metaphysics that knowledge is something disposal of intellectual mind.

Trinity College Cambridge was coined of “artist” to capture those trained in “mechanics colleges”

Discipline of Knowledge by Different Scientists The origin of the word “scientist” raises from political

economy of knowledge production. Charles Darwin - human originates from genes of

monkeysGalileo- the world is oval shape on which the entire

planets are existing on this earth. Joseph Schumpeter’s classic phrase “creatively

destroys” markets Issac Newton was one of the Royal Society members. He

invented that for every action has its own an opposite reaction.

Einstein, Physicist who invented the Atom Bomb explodes a lot of energies which can be used for electricity production.

Discipline of Knowledge by Different Scientists Einstein, Bohr and Heisenberg for whom the

chalkboard was the laboratory but their intellectual contributions persist today.

Craig Venter - DNA’s structure, Watson and Crick methodical mapper of the human genome that has enabled the promise of biotechnology to become reality.

John Doe who invents battalion of well-financed lab scientists who arrive at equally counterintuitive and better discovery.

“Most Bang for the Buck” principle seems to rule our intuitive judgments of genius.

“A BIRR INVESTED IN INTELLECTUAL

DEVELOPMENT OF HUMAN BEING IS INCREASING THE NATIONAL INCOME THAN A

BIRR DEVOTED TO THE TRANSPORATION,

CONSTRUCTION OF DAMS, MATERIALS AND

MACHINES”

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