knowledge management systems
Knowledge Management Systems is an academic discipline that focuses on the effective collection, organization, storage, retrieval, and dissemination of knowledge within organizations.
It combines elements from management, information systems, and organizational behavior to develop strategies and technologies for leveraging knowledge as a valuable organizational asset.
From a Management Information Systems (MIS) perspective, KMS involves the application of information technology to manage knowledge-related processes and support decision-making.
Major Concepts in Knowledge Management Systems
Knowledge: Knowledge refers to the information, insights, experiences, and expertise possessed by individuals or embedded within organizations. It can be explicit (codified and easily transferable) or tacit (personal and context-specific).
Knowledge Creation: Knowledge creation involves the generation of new knowledge through various processes such as socialization (sharing tacit knowledge), externalization (articulating tacit knowledge into explicit forms), combination (integrating existing knowledge), and internalization (embedding knowledge into individuals' practices).
Knowledge Capture: Knowledge capture involves the identification and extraction of valuable knowledge from different sources within an organization, including individuals, documents, databases, and external resources.
Knowledge Organization: Knowledge organization focuses on structuring and categorizing knowledge to facilitate easy access, retrieval, and sharing. This includes the development of taxonomies, ontologies, and knowledge maps.
Knowledge Storage and Retrieval: Knowledge storage involves the secure and efficient storage of knowledge in various formats, such as databases, knowledge bases, content management systems, or document repositories. Knowledge retrieval encompasses techniques for locating and accessing the required knowledge when needed.
Knowledge Sharing and Transfer: Knowledge sharing involves the dissemination of knowledge across individuals, teams, and departments within an organization. It can be facilitated through collaborative tools, communities of practice, social networks, or formal knowledge sharing initiatives.
Knowledge Transfer: Knowledge transfer refers to the process of transmitting knowledge from one individual or group to another. It involves capturing and transferring knowledge from experts to novices, preserving knowledge during employee turnover, and facilitating knowledge transfer between different organizational units.
Knowledge Validation and Quality Assurance: Knowledge validation ensures the accuracy, relevance, and reliability of knowledge within the KMS. Quality assurance involves the evaluation and maintenance of the quality of knowledge sources, processes, and outcomes.
Knowledge Utilization and Application: Knowledge utilization focuses on leveraging knowledge to improve decision-making, problem-solving, innovation, and organizational performance. It involves integrating knowledge into business processes, products, services, and strategic initiatives.
Knowledge Governance and Culture: Knowledge governance refers to the policies, procedures, and practices that guide the management and utilization of knowledge within an organization. Knowledge culture encompasses the shared beliefs, values, and norms that promote knowledge sharing, collaboration, and continuous learning.