Knowledge Management Workshop Identifies Solutions to Challenges in Dubai’s Public Sector
The Dubai School of Government organized a workshop on‘Knowledge Management in Dubai’s Public Sector of Dubai’ to examine the increasing importance of knowledge management forimproving the performance of government institutions and ensuring the consistent delivery of quality services.
During the workshop, which was held on 30 April,DSG also presented the results of its intensive research conducted to assess knowledge management. In addition to identifying the factors that led to the development of knowledge management, the research examined the challenges in its growth. Using the study as a basis, the workshop determined the types of knowledge and experiences that public sector institutions must seek to gain and the best practices that are prerequisites to achieving these standards.
The workshop was based on a study conducted by the Dubai School of Government’s Public Management Program. The workshop featured His Excellency Ahmed Al Nuseirat, Coordinator General, Dubai Government Excellence Program, Abdullah Abdul Rahman, Director of Knowledge Management Department, Dr Yousef Ali Humaid Al Suwaidi, Director of Strategy at Dubai Courts, Dr Ibrahim Al Marri from Dubai Police and Mhamed Biygautane, Researcher at the Dubai School of Government’s Public Management Program.The workshop was moderated by Dr. Ali Al Marri, Executive President of the Dubai School of Government.
During the workshop,Mhamed Biygautanesaid: "Ambiguity still mars the true importance of knowledge management due to alack of consensus on the universal meaning of the concept.However, the variety of definition sindicates that knowledge management is an evolving process that seeks to help organization screate, organize, preserve and disseminate knowledge to achieve strategic goals."
Biygautane also pointed out that recent developments in the government of Dubai such as the reduction of budgetary allocations, overall churn rate, and Emiratization of the workforce imposed great pressure on the public sector’s abilities.These trends exposed the need to develop knowledge management to enhance corporate performance, improve internal efficiency, and facilitate communication between individuals and departments within or outside their organizations to save financial capital.
The outcomes of DSG’s resear chemphasized the need to focus on the factors affecting the performance of managers, resources, environmental and governmental influences, which are keyplayers in the success of knowledge managementin any organization. The study was based on the assumption that the performance of managers depends on the application of knowledge management within the organization and the way its implementation promotes coordination and leadership while discouraging oversight.
In conclusion, the panelists recommended that attendees prioritize knowledge management within government institutions, and develop it as a comprehensive and integrated system. It was also stressed that the risks associated with an organization’s information must be fully recognized and effective mechanisms applied to protect and store their knowledge in a manner that is readily available to those within the organization. It was further highlighted that policies and strategies of knowledge management need to also be put into place, while the resources available at local universities and research centers must be leveraged. The panelists also called for distinguishing between the desired results and realistic results of knowledge management.