Challenges and strategies for improving the quality of information in a university setting: a case study

Abstract

Knowledge, information and communication are crucial for organizational effectiveness and key to the ability of the organization to respond to change. This article reports on the findings of a research and developmental project in a modular multi-campus university focusing on improving the quality of information to students and other users. The research uncovered challenges for developing an information strategy in a large multi-site organization. These challenges included aspects of the organizational culture and blocks to effective exchange of knowledge and information for strategic organizational advantage. The findings offer insights which may help other organizations in evaluating their own processes and procedures for effective communication of knowledge and information. The methodology used for the research offers organizations a process for learning about the organizational culture and an approach for facilitating cultural change in moving towards a knowledge-based organization.