Advances in Knowledge Management: Mapping Ideas that Shape Practice

Advances in Knowledge Management: Mapping Ideas that Shape Practice

Andrea Hornett, Eric W. Stein
Copyright: © 2009 |Pages: 26
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-60566-140-7.ch004
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Abstract

This chapter adds to our understanding of knowledge management as an evolving body of concepts, relationships, strategies and practices. Using qualitative research methods, we examined activities of a community of practice for knowledge management professionals operating in a large metropolitan U.S. region. Accordingly, we produced an organizing framework that maps KM topics according to the tactical-strategic orientation of the KM issue and level of analysis (individual-group-enterprise). We constructed and populated the framework based on a content analysis of forty-four presentations made from 2001-2005, from survey data, from interviews conducted with key informants, and from data collected as participant-observers. The work provides insight into the decision-making processes of stakeholders with competing interests and adds to our understanding of collective sensemaking (Weick, 1995) in a community of practice. From the data, we generated a framework that can be used by practitioners to allocate resources for KM activities, technologies, and projects.
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Significance And Contribution

The study contributes to our understanding of sensemaking (Brown & Duguid, 1991; Weick, 1995) in a multi-stakeholder environment for practice and provides empirical support for the hypothesis (e.g., Iverson & McPhee, 2002) that knowledge management is a function of the unique interactions that occur between people and technologies. It also offers a better understanding of the theory and practice of knowledge management as organizations attempt to respond to new strategic initiatives and innovations in KM-enabling technologies and builds upon case studies of knowledge management in projects and companies (Scarbrough & Swan, 1999). Additionally, this work augments bibliographic studies of KM communities based on published sources only. For instance, Raub and Ruling’s (2001) content analysis of over 400 articles about KM over an 18 year period among IT/IS professional make the point that:

In order to substantiate …. propositions concerning the development of the knowledge management discourse as well as the relationship between the different groups of actors gathering around knowledge management, future research should complement the more ‘macro’-oriented view taken in the present paper with a closer look at actual knowledge management practices (p. 126).

This chapter accomplishes that end and is a contribution to this area of research because it examines the actual words and practices of a KM community not filtered by peer review or editorial processes.

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Rationale And Relevant Literature

Knowledge Management

This work was motivated by the theory that knowledge management processes such as knowledge creation, sharing and use and KM strategies are crucial for successful firms of the 21st century (Dixon, 2000; Davenport & Prusak, 1998). Knowledge originates in and with people; it creates networks, communities and routines whose life spans exceed that of the tenure of the individual members (Czerniawska & Potter, 2001; Leibowitz, 2000). The salient appeal of knowledge management for corporations is that the value of knowledge endures beyond the minds of specific individuals who may have participated in the creation of that knowledge. In addition, KM systems offer opportunities for employees to access best practices, build on previous knowledge, reduce cycle time, improve quality, and provide access to expertise. However, a KM strategy does not have to rely on large investments in technology; it can focus on social processes and the creation of networks and communities. For instance, Nonaka and Takeuchi (1995) identify socialization as an aspect of knowledge management in connection with knowledge creation, transfer and use. Communities and networks of practice can be viewed as an economical means for integrating people and technology around a shared interest (Stein, 2005); i.e., they are a low cost entry into a corporate knowledge management strategy. Vera and Crossan (2001) note that “knowledge exists in socially-distributed activity systems, where participants employ their situated knowledge … which is itself constantly developing” (p. 621). From this perspective, knowledge, action and learning are intertwined. People and organizations who seek to capture, transfer, and recall ideas, practices, routines and concepts of value to their work are all engaged in some form of knowledge management.

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