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Case analysis
The company under analysis is a Singapore based firm known as Fuji Hunt Photographic chemicals. The company employs one hundred and fifty workers and collaborates with two logistic service providers. The firm is currently undergoing problems because their logistics handling is not in order.

The following is a summary of the companys logistical problems:
**Poor communication between themselves and their service providers
**Minimal levels of transparency in logistic handling
**Coping with an increased shipping volume
**Delayed shipment
**Unhappy consumers

As a result of these challenges, it is necessary to look for a fresh approach to their logistics management through the use of Supply chain integration. The company has done this by employing a firm know as One network. However, there are numerous hurdles that may impede Fuji Hunts success in implementing these new solutions.

Knowledge management can ensure the success of the project
Fuji Hunt is currently, operating in a competitive arena. Many companies in Singapore have embraced new technologies and innovation as methods of enhancing their competitive advantage. Consequently, in order to stay ahead, then the three companies under study ought to use such systems too. The logistic service providers need to put in mind the fact that a substantial portion of their competitors are using these solutions to boost their services, therefore, these companies should follow suit.

Additionally, knowledge management will go a long way in coping with Fuji Hunts increasing supply volume. As it is today, the company is facing serious challenges in handling these large volumes. It would therefore be advisable to consider the feasibility of knowledge management in such a scenario. However, the latter solutions would not just be beneficial to Fuji Hunt, even the logistics service providers would streamline the way they do business with Fuji Hunt. By doing this, they can save on valuable items and resources thus redirecting their efforts to other similarly productive areas. In close relation with the latter argument is the fact that all the three companies who stand to benefit from knowledge management have limited time on their hands. Since is being conducted at a relatively fast pace, then there is simply no time to acquire knowledge. A system needs to be put in place to ensure this. (Amidon, 2002)

Knowledge can be lost any time. This is especially so when a member of the organisation leaves it or when a company opts to change their strategic direction. It is therefore necessary for any respective company to look for ways in which they can manage their knowledge independent of people. This issue is further propagated by the increasing complexity of small organisations. The latter organisations are constantly changing as most of them have been sourcing operations. The same can happen to any of the two service providers. These two companies record minimal turnovers and their client base is quite limited. Consequently, they cannot afford to make mistakes along the way. If they happen to do so, then they will severely impede their progress. These companies will benefit from knowledge management though increased flexibility, responsiveness and market leverage. They cannot afford to lag behind yet they are operating in similar environments with larger players operate. These players have the ability to eliminate them from business if they remain static. (Buckman, 2004)

Potential problems
One of the likely problems that will arise in implementation of the project is establishment of a form of consensus between the two parties. Since the information technology solution being formed is merger between three different users, then there should be a compromise reached by these three parties. One network (the supply chain integrator) has the task of coordinating this user interface. It may not be easy trying to reach an agreement on the matter because all the parties involved may want to deal with their interests alone. In line with this is the fact that the two logistics service providers have poor IT knowledge. As it is currently, they only have a 56Kbps dial up modem. The service providers are not familiar with the intricacies of IT applied to knowledge management. Consequently, most of them may fail to understand the procedures used by One Network to create a user interface.

Another issue that may crop up in the process is tied to the attitudinal traits of the companies employees. Many individuals who have not been exposed to the benefit of knowledge management usually treat it is a concept that has not been fully defined. They tend to assume that knowledge management is actually taking them away from real work. It is likely that project members may carry such an attitude. Furthermore, some members may assume that this is a task to be handled by the human resource department rather than by themselves. Such an attitude may bring about problems in successful project completion. (O’Sullivan, 2007)

It may also be difficult for Lee and his group to integrate the knowledge management system in their business infrastructure. Many individuals assume that knowledge management is in fact an issue that lies outside operating infrastructures. This means that it may be difficult for the company to establish it as such.

Possible solutions
The first thing the company needs to do is to establish systems in which the respective members of the organisations can be able to understand the underlying problems. Fuji Hunts problems are understood by their members, however, they need to clarify these issues to other members of the project team. Also members of the project team need to clearly lay out methods of achieving these IT solutions within the organisation. Besides the latter, there is a need for the respective members of the organisation to look for the most effective method of completing the project. They need to have framework against which they are working. By doing this, the team members will be more focused and will also have the ability to implement the system more effectively.

Since the team is composed of a series of members who come from different companies, then it will be necessary for the project coordinator (Simon Lee) to look for ways in which they can enhance their experience. This can be facilitated by giving different members of the team specific responsibilities. They can conduct meetings collectively and thus ensure that they synchronise their functions.

Relevant strategies
One of the most important principles in knowledge management is taking up a holistic approach. These project members need to understand the entire logistic sequence. This means that they should be in a position to understand the flow of materials from the supplier all the way to the consumer. By doing this, then information technology can be incorporated in all parts of the system comprehensively. There will be no room for missed steps; in other words members of the team can effectively come up with solutions that fit in all aspect of the organisation. (Amidon, 2002)

Many experts have tried creating a comparison of a system approach to knowledge management versus a component approach. These same authors agree that the former approach is more effective than the latter. If the project team members decide to allocate various functions to specific groups, then they risk operating under non-optimal conditions. As matter of fact, research has shown that when there is lack of synergy, then logistics management can be extremely ineffective. What the company needs to do is to ensure that all the members of the team look at the process as an organic one. In this regard, they need to aggregate all the various components that make up the logistics system and hence eliminate some of the problems that can arise out of an astronomical approach. The reason behind such an approach is that the three companies can be able to save up on time and resources by using such a method. In other words, all the departments that heavily depend upon logistics can be streamlined through a holistic approach. Examples of department that stand to benefit from the holistic approach include the manufacturing or operations department. It should be noted that the supply chain integration solutions must not concentrate on only one part of the system. There is a tendency for logistic handlers to look at the most obvious components and ignore others. Such methods would not be appropriate. It is best for the companies to recognise that all parts of the system are important and that they need to be included.

The second aspect that the project team members need to remember is that total quality management goes hand in hand with effective knowledge management.

The principles of the latter can be summarised below:
**Process Product
**Organisation
**Commitment Leadership

In order to ensure that the solutions coordinated by One network can be fully acceptable, there should be a check on all the latter stages. First of all, the company needs to look into ways in which they can incorporate the product into their strategy because this is the backbone for all companies. However, the product cannot operate on its own; it needs back up from other parts of the system. For instance, there should be quality incorporated into the process. Besides the latter, the project leader should also inject sound leadership into the group. These issues will go a long way in making the project more successful. (O’Sullivan, 2007)

In line with the latter mentioned strategies, it will be advisable for the company to maintain less hierarchies within the system. More respect should be given to the various members of the team in such a way that they can make decisions independently. Many experts believe that the use of horizontal systems is even more important the horizontal ones. Consequently, members of the organisation need to ensure that they adhere to such an approach. There should also be a merger of the process and product. This applies to all the companies involved in the team. Furthermore, members of the team should be informed about the need to change their frame of mind and the way they have approached business traditionally. This will equip them in the process of understanding and implementing knowledge management solutions in supply logistics

Conclusion
The company under study is having problems with its supply system because they have been using a conventional system. Knowledge management can be effective if the company follows as number of procedures. First, they need to take a holistic approach. Secondly, they need to include total quality management principles. Additionally, they can improve the effectiveness of their solution by minimising hierarchical systems and by changing their respective attitudes.

References
Amidon, D. (2002): Harnessing Intellectual Capital for Collaborative Advantage; Butterworth-Heinemann
Buckman, R. (2004): Building Knowledge-Driven Organizations, McGraw Hill
Nissen, M. (2006): Harnessing Knowledge Dynamics; , Hershey, IRM Press
O’Sullivan, K. (2007): Strategic Knowledge Management in Multinationals; Idea Group Publishing

source: http://www.articlesnatch.com/Article/Knowledge-Management-At-Fuji-Hunt—————-/994785