Data mining and e-learning Thesis Proposal Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Data mining and e-learning - Thesis Proposal Example Data mining is often regarded as an inseparable facet of effective e-learning process aimed at better knowledge management. However, critics have also been of the view that data mining presents certain challenges that undermines its effectiveness as an ideal tool of knowledge management through e-learning (Ari, 2008; Monk, 2005). As argued in Abdullah (2008) and Chen & et. al. (2004), experiences of the data users in data mining and their accurate interpretation skills to use those data in knowledge management techniques when focusing on e-learning, often generate issues related with complexities and cost as well as time constraints. Emphasising this particular debated issue, the objectives of this particular research have been determined as the following. According to Moore & et. al. (2011), e-learning approach to knowledge management is fundamentally described as a web-based mechanism, which assists the users as well as the learners towards accessing knowledge or information in a convenient and time-efficient manner. In this similar concern, Moore & et. al. (2011) identified that the notion of e-learning emerged as one of the effective ideas in enhancing the knowledge of people through the incorporation of various innovative technological advancements. In this present day context, it can be apparently observed that data mining methods have been widely adopted in the application of e-learning for the purpose of solving numerous problems that arise while retrieving or gathering any data in today’s globalising world. As per the study conducted by Han & et. al. (2011), data mining is utilised in the field of statistics to support decisions in various fields of research including business or education, which tends to apply several techniques, neural networks, visualisation modes and decision trees among others. The various sorts of data mining techniques

Is an understanding of culture beneficial to organisations Essay

Is an understanding of culture beneficial to organisations - Essay Example Days when organizations used to succeed even after overlooking cultural aspect are past us and either the hard way or the easy way (Punnett, 2010), organizations now understand that they no longer operate in closed systems nor do they have the same bargaining power (Martin, 1992). Customers and employees of today are not only more informed and educated but they also have much more options (Bond & Hwang, 1986; Luthans & Doh, 2008). Therefore, it is imperative for businesses to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the term organizational culture in which they are operating or else their workforce would not think twice before rejecting them ruthlessly (Punnett, 2010). In this regard, it is very imperative that organizational leaders must be aware about their own organizational culture that is a mixture of assumptions, values, artefacts, beliefs, principles, and customs in an organization (Alvesson, 2002). In addition, it is also important to understand that organizational cultur e takes time to spread or disseminate in the organizational culture, and at the same time, success of that culture relies heavily on the way culture disseminates downward or upward in an organization. One of the major reasons of such assumption is due to the fact that at many times, only inefficient dissemination of effective organizational culture results in failure (Brenton & Driskill, 2010), and thus, while it is important for organizations to have an understanding of its organization culture, it is also vital to ensure efficient implementation that is often missed out by the leaders in an organization. The fact is that we are living in a globalized world and never before in the human history has so many people from diverse cultures, traditions, customs, nationalities, ethnicities, races, colours, creeds and religions been brought together (Mullins, 2007). The only possible way to operate and succeed within this diverse globalized business environment is to gain an understanding of the local cultures and develop respectful attitudes towards them in own organizational culture (Luthans & Doh, 2008). There are several arguments in favor of organizations needing to understand culture but all of them, in one or the other, focus on the magnitude, on these differences and their implications on the workplace (Bond & Hwang, 1986). Perhaps, Hofstede conducted one of the most credible researches in this regard, highlighting these cultural differences amongst different countries in four dimensions related to workplace (Hofstede, 2001). These dimensions are of individualism vs. collectivism, power distance, uncertainty avoidance and masculinity vs. femininity but only the former two are discussed here (Luthans & Doh, 2008; Edfelt, 2009). The notion of individualism talks about the inclination of individuals to put their family members on priority in comparison to needs of the society; while on the other hand, collectivism is the notion that involves alignment of oneâ₠¬â„¢s needs in accordance with needs of the society (Mead & Andrews, 2009). In collectivism, it is more about societal exchange and social advantage in an interdependent manner rather than in isolation (Edfelt, 2009). Moreover, it has been observed that individuals in collectivism rely on their associations, as well as on decisions made by the group members. Unlike