Executive Summary
Two major problems within the asset protection team at Macy’s Logistics and Operations is centered on employee training and the sharing of knowledge. Within the asset protection department the formal training for the associates is overall weak. The current training program is more of an introduction to specific job duties, tasks, and policies and procedures rather than complete knowledge of how to perform each task within the operation. Associates are limited to only working in one or possibly two of the seven areas within the facility because there is no cross-training. Because there is no established knowledge management trainers rely on vague manuals and their experiences to train new associates. Over the past two years …show more content…
Currently, we only train the asset protection associates in one or two jobs within the distribution center. Cross training the associates in multiple jobs would allow for more flexibility when scheduling, having the ability to handle unexpected situations, add variety to daily operations, and make each member of the team valuable. Additionally, this would assist with promoting current associates into other positions. Cross training associates would also lead to changing the current culture on the team by showing the associates management cares about their future.
Knowledge Management
Knowledge management can be defined in many ways. According to Dalkir there are more than a hundred definitions of knowledge management (Dalkir, 2011). Some of the definitions presented by Dalkir indicate that the knowledge management process allows an organization to enhance performance and competitiveness. In my opinion this is an important outcome for the entire process. Information and knowledge which is gathered and shared allows the entire organization to know exactly what has happened within the organization and will also provide information regarding where the organization has improved or needs improvement.
Types of Knowledge
Knowledge is generally classified into three main categories; tacit knowledge, explicit knowledge and background …show more content…
Planning is necessary to develop a system that will meet the needs of the organization. The system will have to remain somewhat flexible to change as the organization needs change. Knowledge management can be based on one of three perspectives but a piece of each perspective may eventually be utilized within an organizations system. Although there are many definitions for knowledge management an organization must establish what knowledge management means to their specific organization.
According to an article written by Engle there are five steps that need to be completed to have a knowledge management culture in any organization which include: senior leaders must both establish and promote the knowledge sharing culture, the culture should begin early in an employee’s career, knowledge creation should be a top priority within the organization, staff should be trained on how to effectively share knowledge, and methods should be developed to transfer tacit knowledge (Engle, 2013).
Cross training and knowledge management could be a never ending cycle for the organization. A knowledge management cycle includes learning, creating, storing, finding, and acquiring knowledge and is a circle of a never ending process as shown in Figure 1. Please assist with improving Macy’s Logistics and Operations training and knowledge management
Two major problems within the asset protection team at Macy’s Logistics and Operations is centered on employee training and the sharing of knowledge. Within the asset protection department the formal training for the associates is overall weak. The current training program is more of an introduction to specific job duties, tasks, and policies and procedures rather than complete knowledge of how to perform each task within the operation. Associates are limited to only working in one or possibly two of the seven areas within the facility because there is no cross-training. Because there is no established knowledge management trainers rely on vague manuals and their experiences to train new associates. Over the past two years …show more content…
Currently, we only train the asset protection associates in one or two jobs within the distribution center. Cross training the associates in multiple jobs would allow for more flexibility when scheduling, having the ability to handle unexpected situations, add variety to daily operations, and make each member of the team valuable. Additionally, this would assist with promoting current associates into other positions. Cross training associates would also lead to changing the current culture on the team by showing the associates management cares about their future.
Knowledge Management
Knowledge management can be defined in many ways. According to Dalkir there are more than a hundred definitions of knowledge management (Dalkir, 2011). Some of the definitions presented by Dalkir indicate that the knowledge management process allows an organization to enhance performance and competitiveness. In my opinion this is an important outcome for the entire process. Information and knowledge which is gathered and shared allows the entire organization to know exactly what has happened within the organization and will also provide information regarding where the organization has improved or needs improvement.
Types of Knowledge
Knowledge is generally classified into three main categories; tacit knowledge, explicit knowledge and background …show more content…
Planning is necessary to develop a system that will meet the needs of the organization. The system will have to remain somewhat flexible to change as the organization needs change. Knowledge management can be based on one of three perspectives but a piece of each perspective may eventually be utilized within an organizations system. Although there are many definitions for knowledge management an organization must establish what knowledge management means to their specific organization.
According to an article written by Engle there are five steps that need to be completed to have a knowledge management culture in any organization which include: senior leaders must both establish and promote the knowledge sharing culture, the culture should begin early in an employee’s career, knowledge creation should be a top priority within the organization, staff should be trained on how to effectively share knowledge, and methods should be developed to transfer tacit knowledge (Engle, 2013).
Cross training and knowledge management could be a never ending cycle for the organization. A knowledge management cycle includes learning, creating, storing, finding, and acquiring knowledge and is a circle of a never ending process as shown in Figure 1. Please assist with improving Macy’s Logistics and Operations training and knowledge management