Question

Murray, the longtime lab director in the R&D (research and development) department, has announced his retirement. Marianne, the head of R&D for three years, has received great advice from Murray on every topic she has asked him about. Murray is a modest man, but she suspects that he knows more about their department than the rest of the group put together. They meet in his office to talk about ways Murray can document his knowledge so that it doesn’t “walk out the door” with him when he retires. Murray shows Marianne dozens of binders and several file cabinet field with one of a kind documents that predate the use of personal computer and electronic file. He suggests that he spend the rest of his time labeling everything and putting together a list of what he has. Marianne has a different idea. She appreciates Murray’s interest in preserving the past, but she believes it is essential to capture his perspective on the new technologies,

new products, and new processes that have been implemented over the years. She wants to put together an ad hoc committee to work with Murray. she asks him to meet with her in two days to talk about the committee and what can be accomplished before Murray retires.

1. Why does Marianne want to preserve Murray’s perspective on the changes he has been part of?

2. How can Murray and the committee accomplish Marianne’s goals?

Answer 1

Answer: Knowledge is one of the most important resources that any company has. But knowledge is not tangible and often when an employee having certain skill set and knowledge leaves the organization, he or she also takes along with him the skill set and knowledge that he possess. Skills and knowledge develop competencies and capabilities that are a source of competitive advantage for the firm. Hence it is important for the organization to develop a knowledge management strategy so that when any employee leaves he or she should not take away his or her skill set and knowledge. This helps in knowledge creation and retention inside the organization. It is for this reason that Marianne wants to preserve Murray’s perspective on the changes that he has been a part of. Murray can transfer his knowledge about his perspective on the new technologies to the committee. Murray and the committee needs to sit together and document the perspective of Murray by asking questions and Murray should reply them honestly. This can easily be documented. Murray and the Committee should discuss these changes verbally and then committee may note these perspectives.