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TopWhat Is Meant By Knowledge?
Theorists such as Mingers (2008) have identified a lack of definition as a weakness in the field, where too many papers fail to establish a situated definition of knowledge, and thereby take an overly simplified view of its economic value.
Knowledge in its epistemological form is frequently referred to as ‘justified true belief’ (Plato, cited in Kakabadse et al., 2003, p. 76). It has also been described in the modern context as ‘information combined with experience, context, interpretation and reflection’ (Kulkarni et al., 2006). Wilson (2002) states that:
‘Knowledge involves the mental processes of comprehension, understanding and learning that go on in the mind and only in the mind, however much they involve interaction with the world outside the mind and interaction with others.’ (p. 2)
Others present an ontological position in suggesting that Knowledge exists in three states: ‘Knowledge-as-data’, ‘Knowledge-as-meaning’ and ‘Knowledge-as-practice’ (Spender, 2005). It is also said to be part of a flow or evolution process: ‘Data – Information – Knowledge – Understanding – Wisdom’ (Sarah&Haslet, 2003). Wilson (2002) makes an important differentiation between knowledge and information from an organisational perspective by positing that the externalisation of what we know outside of the mind constitutes information.