Knowledge Management

Rita Mallik

KM
IS A CONCEPT IN WHICH AN ENTERPRISE GATHERS, ORGANIZES, SHARES, AND ANALYZES THE KNOWLEDGE OF INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS ACROSS THE ORGANIZATION IN WAYS THAT DIRECTLY AFFECT PERFORMANCE
-Robert S. Seiner

Explicit and Tacit Knowledge

Perhaps the most widely accepted knowledge taxonomy among researchers and practitioners is Nonaka and Takeuchis differentiation between explicit knowledge from tacit knowledge.

Explicit knowledge is that which: can be expressed in words and numbers and can be easily communicated and shared in the form of hard data, scientific formulae, codified procedures or universal principles

Explicit and Tacit Knowledge

whereas tacit knowledge is: highly personal and hard to formalize. Subjective insights, intuitions and hunches fall into this category of knowledge. Hence, explicit knowledge in organizations is typically found in documents and databases, while tacit knowledge is that which is in the heads of people. No matter how knowledge is categorized, it is an elusive and vulnerable commodity and can suffer a precarious existence. And primarily, knowledge is held subconsciously in a tacit state defying any attempt at elicitation.

KM Characteristics
Knowledge Management is about people Knowledge Management is orderly and goaldirected Knowledge Management is ever-changing Knowledge Management is value-added Knowledge Management is visionary Knowledge Management is complementary

Knowledge Management Framework

Innovation Chat Brainstorm Conference Network

Reponsiveness Problem solve Strategize Coordinate Customize

Productivity Reuse Discover Optimize Mine

Competency Read Browse Study Apprentice

KM Software Tools
Globalserve Knowcorp Hyperknowledge MicroStrategy The Molloy Group KnowledgeX Inc. WebFarming.com Softlab Enabling Tools
Imagination Excalibur Technologies Imaging Solutions Grapevine Technologies Intraspect Software Milagro: The Power of Imagination

KM Challenges
No internal learning communities Lack of psychological safety Lack of workplace trust Arrogance of people who believe they know everything, so why try? Lack of communication within an organization made evident by continually reinventing the same wheel Negativity and unrealistic expectations

IRONY OF KNOLEDGE