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Externalization


A term coined by Takeuchi and Nonaka, as part of their SECI (Socialization, Externalization, combination, Internalization) model of knowledge creation. This is the process of converting tacit knowledge into explicit concepts through metaphors, analogies, hypothesis or models.

Metaphor can be viewed as a way of intuitively understanding one thing by imaging another thing symbolically. Metaphors help us to see one thing in terms of something else. Metaphors help in relating concepts that are far apart in our mind or even relate abstract concepts to concrete ones. As Takeuchi and Nonaka put it, “This creative, cognitive process continues as we think of the similarities among concepts and feel an imbalance, inconsistency or contradiction in their associations, thus often leading to the discovery of new meaning or even to the formation of a new paradigm.”

Contradictions inherent in a metaphor can be harmonized by analogy. Association through metaphor is driven mostly by intuition and imagery and does not aim to find the differences between them. On the other hand, analogy works by rational thinking and focuses on structural / functional similarities between two things, along with their differences.

(See also: SECI Model)

Extensible Markup Language (XML)


See XML.

Extranet


A portion of an organization’s intranet that is opened up for external Internet access on a selective basis, e.g. for customers or suppliers to access certain information. Extranets can help in tapping knowledge that lies outside the organization.

F

Fuzzy Logic


Fuzzy logic provides solutions to problems requiring expertise that is difficult to represent in the form of crisp if-then rules. Fuzzy logic recognizes more than simple true and false values. With fuzzy logic, propositions can be represented as partially true or partially false. For example, the statement, today is sunny, might be 100% true if there are no clouds, 80% true if there are a few clouds, 50% true if it is hazy and 0% true if it rains all day. The same logic applies to a dirty cloth. Fuzzy logic systems cope with uncertainty to some extent, the way people manage uncertainty in their day-to-day life. One way people do this is to use subjective, incomplete descriptions. When people say it is hot outside, it is understood even though the term is subjective. Fuzzy logic systems need to be trained by experts. Such experts may not be available. And even if they are available, these experts might not articulate their knowledge effectively. Fuzzy logic is used in applications such as washing machine settings, elevator control and some spell checkers (to suggest a list of probable words to replace a misspelled one).

(See also: Artificial Intelligence)

G

Garbage In Garbage Out (GIGO)


Information technology is only as good as the quality of data and information fed into the system. If the data being fed in, is incomplete or has errors, the output will be of poor quality.

GDSS


See Group decision support systems.

Genetic Algorithm Tools


Tools that help arrive at an optimal solution by examining a very large number of possible solutions for that problem. The underlying principle is similar to the way living organisms adapt to their environments. Genetic algorithms facilitate the evolution of solutions to particular problems, controlling the generation, variation, adaptation and selection of possible solutions, using genetically based processes. As solutions alter and combine, the worst ones are discarded, while the best ones survive.

Genetic algorithms are useful when decision makers do not know how to solve the problem but are likely to know the solution when they see it. Genetic algorithms can considerably simplify the amount of work required to solve a complex, decision related problem. They are useful while making decisions where standard rules of thumb are difficult or impossible to use. These tools tend to be heavily dependent on software and the nature of the problem. As a result, their usability in other problem domains is somewhat limited.

GE has used genetic algorithms to optimize the design for jet turbine aircraft engines where each design change may involve changes in up to 100 variables. Genetic algorithms can also be used to optimize production scheduling models.

Gestalt


Theory which holds that a psychological phenomenon can only be understood if it is viewed as organized, structured wholes. Learning is
regarded by Gestaltists not as associations between stimuli and responses but as a restructuring or reorganizing of the whole situation. In short, Gestalt emphasizes unity and wholeness. For example, we tend to complete an incomplete picture mentally using our imagination. Gestalt theory explains how people actually absorb and interpret information.

Group Decision Support Systems (GDSS)


System that enables a group of people to work on unstructured problems. Unlike Groupware and video conferencing which focus primarily on communication GDSS provides tools and technologies that facilitate group decision making. GDSS helps make meetings more effective. GDSS tools also facilitate planning, generating, organizing and evaluating ideas, establishing priorities and documentation of meeting proceedings.

Some of the commonly used GDSS tools are electronic questionnaires, electronic brainstorming tools, tools for voting or setting priorities and policy formulation tools. In traditional decision making meetings, having more than 4-5 people may make the process ineffective and indeed disruptive in some cases. When GDSS is used, the number of people taking part in a meeting can increase while productivity also goes up. Since people can contribute simultaneously, the meeting time can be used efficiently. Of course, GDSS will not be effective if the composition of the group is not right, the problem is not properly presented, or facilitation is not effective.


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