My blog is entitled, "Why Knowledge Management?" but I think occasionally it is important to examine, "What is Knowledge Management?" so that I can look at the argument for "why."
Today I was really impacted by an article by Colin McCullough entitled, "What is Knowledge Management - Knowing What We Know?" What I like about the article is that McCullough offers (and cites) a number of good definitions of knowledge management, while he goes for the jugular on what KM is all about.
One key element is near and dear to my heart as a Human Resources professional, and that is the role that the individual plays in KM. McCullough (citing other research) laments the same exact thing that I feel every day, that there are "firms investing in new technology hoping that KM will simply emerge as a result." Rightfully it will be employees who usher in the "knowledge economy" and who willingly participate in knowledge creation, transfer and assimilation.
From the article, McCullough states, "it is increasingly recognized that most current software for knowledge management have more to do with new ways of storing and communicating information than with actual ways in which people create, acquire and use knowledge (Milton et al., 1999)." While I live in a KM world myself, I'm constantly perturbed by the rush to a software solution. Software first, problem resolution second.
I promised not to continue "lists" at this blog, but 3 primary issues were unveiled, "flaws in the organisational process" which regularly happen; "misconceptions of the role of technology in the process," which I feel is a critical error, and then the last piece, "a large disregard of the importance of the human factor in achieving a successful knowledge-sharing and knowledge managing culture." Cha-ching. Ring him up, he's right on the money. Come on, it starts and ends with people! the Human Resources.
The ultimate conclusion from the article is that the best approach to Knowledge Management is to establish an environment (technology can be included) that encourages Knowledge creation, rather than a focus on trying to "capture" knowledge. And when the focus is on creation, it must be on the individual, who is central to the creation (and acceptance and assimilation of created) knowledge.
Bravo!
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