| Scope and Content: | |
Series contains knowledge products (learning tools) created by Simpson as a partner in AXIA NetMedia and Innovation Expedition in the 1990s, as well as secondary resource materials and operational records documenting his work in knowledge management. The Innovation Expedition defined knowledge management as "a comprehensive approach for linking an organization's strategic plan, people skills, information base, operational (business) processes, and information and communication technologies." The records in the series include "travel guides" to aspects of the knowledge economy, workbooks, and basic and customized toolkits (compilations of a variety of resources to help people improve their knowledge, skills and personal competencies). Toolkits contain process maps, conceptual frameworks, success stories, how to's and other resources. Innovation Expedition's unique tools include Diagnostix(TM), group dialogues, "reflective resources," implementation tools, assessment tools, simulations, games, case studies, and challenge papers. In addition to workbooks, toolkits and travel guides, record types in the series include articles and papers, memoranda, correspondence, overhead transparencies, presentation slides (Microsoft PowerPoint print-outs), clippings, project progress tables and product lists, notes, drafts, and book chapters. The records also include project files and documents from partnerships with Bayer Healthcare, Textron, Alberta Economic Development, Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC) and the Knowledge Works(TM) initiative in London, Ontario. Elements of AXIA's business highlighted in the records include the AXIA Performance Centre and its Design Centre; the "knowledge products project" of 1995; the Global Mentoring Team; AXIA's online assessment, mentoring and learning management systems -- KMAP and PDS; and the Renaissance Leadership Program piloted in 2008.
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| Arrangement: | |
The series is arranged in three blocks of records: original knowledge products and other finished documents created by IE; resource material, including records related to performance improvement; and operational records reflecting the development of the knowledge products and specific projects. The first two blocks are arranged by type of record and the operational records are arranged chronologically. The arrangement of the knowledge products reflects the original order of the records, that is, the way in which the records were maintained so that all IE associates could readily access and share the company's knowledge assets and resources. In addition to toolkits, performance improvement materials and new product development were two areas of focus highlighted by Simpson in his organization of the records prior to donation. Performance improvement material is filed with the other resource material, and records of new product development were combined with the operational records at the end of the series.
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| Other Notes: | | 1. Other work of the Innovation Expedition is documented in series S00506 through S00510, and S00514. Researchers interested in Simpson's projects with Bayer, Textron, CanadianOxy, AVCO, HRDC and Alberta Economic Development should consult series S00509, which contains more detailed records of these projects.
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