Knowledge Management - Why Companies choose Knowledge Management

Diploma Thesis , 1999 , 42 Pages , Grade: 1

Business economics - Offline Marketing and Online Marketing

Increasingly, companies have started to recognise that with the transition from the industrial age to the knowledge era they are being forced to develop knowledge management strategies and tools to remain competitive. However, it is difficult to identify viable knowledge strategies and guidelines for the implementation of knowledge management. Research showing how employees view knowledge management and how they evaluate the implementation process are scarce.
The report attempts to translate the theoretical findings of the literature review into the practical realities of the implementation process. It examines the basic framework of knowledge management. Questions such as: ‘Where does knowledge management come from?’ ‘Why did it evolve?’ and ‘How can it be defined?’ are answered before the implementation process is examined in more detailed. Finally, the critical analysis highlights common pitfalls and weaknesses of knowledge management. Based on these findings the most important success factors are identified.
The main objective of the report was to make knowledge management tangible.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• 1. INTRODUCTION.
• 2. LITERATURE REVIEW.
• 2.1 HISTORY OF KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT.
• 2.1.1 INTRODUCTION.
• 2.1.2 LEARNING ORGANISATION.
• 2.1.3 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY.
• 2.1.4 CHANGING BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT.
• 2.1.5 INCREASED AWARENESS OF THE VALUE OF HUMAN CAPITAL
• 2.1.6 SUMMARY.
• 2.2 FAD OR REVOLUTION?
• 2.3 CLARIFICATION OF THE TERMINOLOGY.
• 2.3.1 INTRODUCTION.
• 2.3.2 WHAT IS KNOWLEDGE’?.
• 2.3.2.1 DISTINCTION BETWEEN DATA, INFORMATION AND KNOWLEDGE.
• 2.3.2.2 EXPLICIT AND TACIT KNOWLEDGE.
• 2.3.3 WHAT IS ‘KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT'?.
• 2.3.3.1 THE THREE DIMENSIONS OF KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT
• 2.3.3.2 SUMMARY AND A WORKING DEFINITION OF KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT.
• 2.4 HOW DO YOU IMPLEMENT KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT?.
• 2.4.1 WHY COMPANIES CHOOSE KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT.
• 2.4.2 MAIN STEPS IN THE IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS.
• 2.4.2.1 CODIFICATION AND PERSONALISATION STRATEGY
• 2.4.2.2 STAGES IN THE IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS.
• 2.5 CRITICAL ANALYSIS.
• 2.5.1 COMMON PITFALLS.
• 2.5.2 GENERAL CRITICISM
• 2.6 SUCCESS FACTORS.
• 3. APPENDICES
• 3.1 APPENDIX 1: CLASSIFICATION OF DEFINITIONS.
• 4. LIST OF REFERENCES.

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This report explores the main aspects of knowledge management, tracing its evolution and outlining its significance in today’s business environment. It aims to clarify the terminology, analyze the implementation process, and identify key success factors. The report explores the following key themes:
• The history and evolution of knowledge management.
• The definition and conceptualization of knowledge management.
• The implementation process of knowledge management, including codification and personalization approaches.
• Critical analysis of knowledge management, highlighting common pitfalls and general criticism.
• Key success factors for effective knowledge management.

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

Chapter 1 provides an introduction to the topic of knowledge management. It sets the stage for the subsequent chapters by highlighting the growing importance of knowledge in a dynamic business environment.

Chapter 2 presents a comprehensive literature review on knowledge management. It traces the history of knowledge management, analyzing various influences such as the rise of the learning organization, advancements in information technology, and a growing awareness of the value of human capital. The chapter further clarifies the terminology, differentiating between data, information, and knowledge, and defining knowledge management through the three dimensions of content, culture, and infrastructure. It also examines the implementation process, highlighting the codification and personalization approaches, and explores critical analysis of knowledge management, discussing common pitfalls and general criticism. Finally, it identifies key success factors for effective knowledge management.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

This report explores knowledge management, focusing on its history, definition, implementation, and critical analysis. Key terms and concepts include: learning organization, information technology, human capital, codification, personalization, knowledge-sharing culture, and success factors.

• College: Reutlingen University
• Grade: 1
• Author: Susanne Schneider (Author)
• Publication Year: 1999
• Pages: 42
• Catalog Number: V185318
• ISBN (eBook): 9783656999195
• ISBN (Book): 9783867462488
• Language: English
• Tags: knowledge, management