Knowledge Management
An Interdisciplinary Perspective
Sajjad M Jasimuddin
Aberystwyth University, UKWorld Scientific
N E W J E R S E Y • L O N D O N • S I N G A P O R E • B E I J I N G • S H A N G H A I • H O N G K O N G • T A I P E I • C H E N N A IPreface vii List of Abbreviations xxi List of Tables xxiii List of Figures xxv Acknowledgments xxvii
Chapter 1 Knowledge in an Organizational Context 1
Knowledge Objectives 1
1.1 Introducing the Chapter 1 1.2 The Notion of Knowledge from a Philosophical 3
Perspective
1.3 Organizational Knowledge Defined 5 1.4 Knowledge Hierarchy 9 1.5 Perspectives on Knowledge in Organizations 14 1.6 The Role of Knowledge in an Organizational Context 18 1.7 Concluding Summary 20 Further Reading 23 References 23 Chapter 2 Strategic Role of Knowledge Management 31
Knowledge Objectives 31
2.1 Introducing the Chapter 31
2.2 Relevant Topics Associated with Knowledge 33 Management
2.2.1 Organizational Knowledge and Its Typology 34 2.2.2 Knowledge Transfer 35 2.2.3 Knowledge Creation 36 2.2.4 Knowledge Storage 37 2.3 Knowledge Management Defined 38 2.4 Knowledge Management Process 45 2.4.1 Acquisition of Organizational Knowledge 47 2.4.2 Creation of Organizational Knowledge 48 2.4.3 Storage of Organizational Knowledge 49 2.4.4 Transfer of Organizational Knowledge 49 2.4.5 Application of Organizational Knowledge 51 2.5 The Role of Knowledge Management in 51
Organizations
2.6 Concluding Summary 56 Further Reading 59 References 59
Chapter 3 Debates in the Knowledge Management Field 71 LCnowledge Objectives 71
3.1 Introducing the Chapter 71 3.2 Lack of a Homogeneous Definition for 74
Organizational Knowledge
3.3 Lack of a Universal Definition for Knowledge 75 Management
3.4 Knowledge Management: A Multidisciplinary Subject 76 or a Specific Ideology?
3.5 Knowledge Management: A Universal Paradigm or a 79 Management Fad?
3.6 Perspectives on Knowledge Management: A 86 Technical-Centric or Social-Centric View?
3.6.1 Perspectives on Knowledge Management: 88 The Social-Centric View
3.6.2 Perspectives on Knowledge Management: 88 The Technical-Centric View
3.6.3 Combined Approach to Knowledge 89 Management: The Socio-Technical Approach
3.7 Concluding Summary 90 Further Reading 93 References , 93
Chapter 4 The Sources of Organizational Knowledge 99 Knowledge Objectives 99
4.1 Introducing the Chapter 99 4.2 Existing Theories of Organizational Knowledge 100 4.2.1 Polanyi's Theory of Knowledge 101 4.2.2 Nonaka's Theory of Knowledge 102 4.2.3 Spender's Theory of Knowledge 106 4.2.4 Bladder's Theory of Knowledge 107 4.3 Gaps in Theories of Organizational Knowledge 109 4.3.1 Sources of Organizational Knowledge 111 4.3.2 The Role of External Sources of 112
Organizational Knowledge
4.3.3 The Organizational Knowledge of Various 113 Stakeholders Outside an Organization
4.4 Alternative View of Knowledge Typology 116 4.5 Concluding Summary 120 Further Reading 121 References 121
Chapter 5 Organizations in the Knowledge-Based 125 Economy
Knowledge Objectives 125
5.1 Introducing the Chapter 125 5.2 The Notion of the Knowledge-Based Economy 128 5.2.1 Features of the Agrarian, Industrial and 129
Knowledge Societies
5.3 Organizations in the Knowledge Economy 133 5.3.1 Typology of Organizations Based on 134
5.3.2 Knowledge-Based Organization (KBO) 134 5.3.3 Knowledge-Intensive Firm (KIF) 135 5.3.4 Professional Service Firm (PSF) 140 5.3.5 Knowledge-Creating Company (KCC) 141 5.4 Knowledge Intensity Continuum 142 5.4.1 The Notion of Hybrid Organizations in the 145
Knowledge Economy
5.5 Concluding Summary 147 Further Reading 148 References 148
Chapter 6 Disciplinary Roots of Knowledge 155 Management Knowledge Objectives 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5
Introducing the Chapter
Genesis of the Knowledge Management Field Knowledge Management: An Offshoot of a Single Discipline or Many Disciplines?
Connections Between Knowledge Management and Other Disciplines
Concluding Summary Further Reading References 155 155 157 158 164 169 170 170 Chapter 7 Knowledge Management and Information 175
Management
Knowledge Objectives 175
7.1 Introducing the Chapter 175 7.2 The Notion of Information Management 177 7.3 The Origin of Information Management 178 7.4 Scholars' Views on the Connection Between 182
Knowledge Management and Information Management 7.4.1 Knowledge Management as an Offshoot 183
7.4.2 Information Management and Knowledge 185 Management as Complementary to
Each Other
7.5 The Intersection Between Knowledge Management 187 and Information Management
7.6 Concluding Summary 197 Further Reading 199 References 200
Chapter 8 Knowledge Management and Organizational 205 Learning
LCnowledge Objectives 205
8.1 Introducing the Chapter 205 8.2 Organizational Learning Defined 209 8.3 Origins of Organizational Learning 213 8.4 The Role of Organizational Learning 213 8.5 Properties of Organizational Learning 215 8.6 Scholars' Views on the Connection Between Knowledge 218
Management and Organizational Learning
8.6.1 Knowledge Management as an Outcome 220 of Organizational Learning
8.6.2 Knowledge Management and Organizational 221 Learning as Two Distinct Disciplines
8.6.3 Knowledge Management and Organizational 222 Learning as Complementary to Each Other
8.7 Linkage Between Knowledge Management and 224 Organizational Learning
8.8 Concluding Summary 232 Further Reading 234 References 235
Chapter 9 Knowledge Management and Strategic 245 Management
Knowledge Objectives 245
9.2 Strategic Management Defined 249 9.3 The Origins of Strategic Management 252 9.4 Key Areas of Strategic Management Research 254 9.5 Scholars' Views on the Connection Between 261
Knowledge Management and Strategic Management
9.5.1 Knowledge Management as a Key Element 262 of Strategic Management
9.5.2 The Strategic Management Role for 264 Knowledge Management Implementation
9.5.3 Strategic Management and Knowledge 266 Management as Complementary to
Each Other
9.6 Linkage Between Strategic Management and 267 Knowledge Management
9.7 Concluding Summary 273 Further Reading 274 References 275
Chapter 10 Knowledge Management and Innovation 285 Management
LCnowledge Objectives 285
10.1 Introducing the Chapter 285 10.2 Innovation Management Defined 287 10.3 Terminology Associated with Innovation Management 289 10.4 Typologies of Innovation 295 10.4.1 Typology of Innovation Based on the Nature 295
of Innovation
10.4.2 Typology of Innovation Based on the Form 297 of Innovation
10.5 The Role of Innovation Management 298 10.6 Key Areas in Innovation Management 301 10.7 Scholars' Views on the Connection Between 303
Knowledge Management and Innovation Management
10.8 Linkage Between Knowledge Management and 308 Innovation Management
10.9 Concluding Summary 313 Further Reading 316 References 317 Chapter 11 Knowledge Management Challenges 325
Knowledge Objectives 325
11.1 Introducing the Chapter 325 11.2 A Brief Overview 326 11.3 The Challenges of Knowledge Management 329 11.4 Epilogue 342 Further Reading 343 References 344
Bibliography 349
