REPORT ON SECOND INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON “TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION FOR KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT

REPORT ON SECOND INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON “TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION FOR KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT

Ministry of Communications & IT, Government of India has sponsored a project to identify policy issues and strategies for the Government to enable National Competitiveness in the Knowledge Economy. The project is being jointly executed by National Productivity Council (NPC), Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee (IITR), Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IITM) and International Management Institute, New Delhi (IMI). The role of NPC in the project has been to organize two International Conferences to provide a wider platform for deliberations on the various facets of the subject. The First Conference was organized by NPC during 11-12, January, 2007 with the title “Knowledge Management for Productivity and Competitiveness”. The objectives of the first Conference were to review KM initiatives in India ; identify themes and subjects relevant to KM for further in-depth study and development; and prepare guidelines for concrete actions in the areas identified by stakeholders.

Evolving from the discussions of the First Conference, NPC organized the Second International Conference with the title “Technology and Innovation for Knowledge Management” during 12-14, February, 2008 at New Delhi . The objectives of the Second Conference were to present the findings and suggestions of the various research and dissemination activities of the project, deliberate on policy issues to be adopted by the Government, suggest implementation methodology for Technology and Innovation and to create a continuing and sustaining network of KM practitioners.

The Conference was organized jointly with the Asian Productivity Organisation (APO) and supported by the other partner institutions of the project. The conference had 180 international and national delegates representing different sectors: industry, academia, research bodies, government institutions, and NGO. The 53 international delegates were sponsored by APO from countries in the Asia and the Pacific, namely, Iran, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia, Fiji, Korea, and Taiwan. The APO also deputed five experts to speak at the conference: Dr.Ron Young, Chief Knowledge Officer, KM Associates, UK , Dr.Rory Chase, CEO, Teleos Marketing , UK , Dr.Serafin Talisayon, Professor, University of Philippines , Mr. Praba Nair, KDi Associates, Singapore and Mr. N.Ogiwara, Fuji Xerox, USA .

The Conference was inaugurated by Hon. Minister of State for Industry, Shri Ashwani Kumar. In his Inaugural Address, the Hon. Minister underlined the progress made by India in knowledge-based development and outlined the various policy and support measures provided by the Government of India towards transformation of Indian economy towards Knowledge orientation. He indicated that the Government would consider follow up to the policy recommendations emanating from the Conference. Shri Ajay Shan kar, Secretary- DIPP and Chairman, NPC who delivered a special address on the occasion congratulated NPC for choosing an important theme for the Conference at the appropriate time as India is poising towards high growth patterns as a result of the economic reforms.

The Conference featured presentations by 22 eminent National and International experts on various aspects of KM. The presentations were grouped into six different Technical Sessions to cover the subjects of Leadership Position in the Knowledge Economy, Technology and Innovation, KM Networking, HR/Education/Financial Perspectives of KM, KM Standards, Regulations, Tools & Techniques and KM Applications in Organisations. There were also two separate panel discussions and question answer sessions where the APO resource speakers interacted with the delegates intensively through detailed answers to the questions posed by them.

The technical papers addressed issues, perspectives and tools in three areas of application of knowledge management and innovation: (a) the organizational including corporate or business sector, (b) the social or development sector, and (c) the national policy sector specifically the current policy thrust of the Indian government towards the transition from an industrial economy to a more knowledge-based economy and society.

The deliberations of the Conference provided important inputs into the following major issues:
Effective pursuance of both productivity and innovation.
Measurement of the impact of KM
Commitment of CEOs to KM
KM benefits for the larger society
Motivation for buy-in or acceptance of KM
Methods to make knowledge workers to share their knowledge
Factors important in the journey of a nation from an industrial economy to a knowledge-based economy and society.


The Valedictory address of the Conference was delivered by Dr. B. K. Gairola, Director General, National Informatics Centre, who illustrated the efforts and programmes of the Government that are contributing to the development of the core sectors towards a more knowledge-based society.
Annexure

COMMENDATIONS ON THE CONFERENCE BY SOME DELEGATES
Congratulations on the successful execution of the conference.
..............................................................Raj Datta, Mind Tree Consulting

It was a pleasure participating in the Conference - congratulations for organizing such a fine event! And thanks again for giving me the opportunity.

Look forward to continued association with NPC/APO initiatives and events.

.....................................................................Ved Prakash, Wipro Technologies

Congratulations for organizing such an excellent Conference....

...........................................................................Prem Saran, Govt. of Assam

Conference was really fruitful and was a very good learning opportunity for me.

All the arrangements and conference was very well organised.

.............................................................Sadanand Gupta, Irrigation Dept., Govt of AP

Thank you for your e-mail and also your all supports for implementation of 2nd International Conference on Technology and Innovation for Knowledge Management.
As a delegate of the conference please take my regards to all staffs of NPC for their kind supports of this project.

It was truly a productive and useful conference.

...................................................................M.Alipour (Ms) National Iranian Productivity Center

I would like to congratulate you for the quality and time schedule of the conference. The papers and discussions where very interesting and enlightening (and some of them very thought provoking). And to be able to stick to the planned schedule with so many speakers is a real achievement. It is remarkable.

...........................................................Anne Chappuis, Visual Information Systems for Action

It was a good learning experience - I will surely join the community!

..........................................................Sanjeev Kumar, HRD, MECON

I wish to extend my heartily congratulations for the excellent manner in which you have conducted the 2nd International Conference on " Technology & Innovation for Knowledge Management".

Kindly extend my heartily congratulations also to all your colleagues who worked hard to make the International Conference a great success. Personally I greatly enjoyed in participating in the conference,

...........................................................................Dr. M.S.Mathews, IIT Madras

It was a great pleasure for Professor Harsha Sinvhal and myself to participate in the Second International Conference on “Technology and Innovation for Knowledge Management” recently organised by National Productivity Organisation during 12-14, February, 2008.

We wish to congratulate you on the grand success of the International Conference so meticulously organized by you.

..............................................................Prof. Vinay Nangia, IIT Roorkee


Congratulations for organizing another milestone in KM. The success of KM is dependent on people that can revitalize the energy to pursue greater value through knowledge and innovation. Thank you for keeping the fire burning!

...................Alwin STA Roza,VP- Knowledge Management, Association of the Philippines