Abstract
This chapter discusses the concept of organizational knowledge and how it can be managed in business settings effectively. For this purpose, first, different perspectives on knowledge were introduced (possession and practice perspectives), and various definitions of the concept were compiled from the literature. Following that, a more specific concept, organizational knowledge, and two distinct approaches (rational and multifaceted perspectives) to the management of this form of knowledge were discussed in detail. In this section, taxonomic studies were also incorporated to confer different assumptions towards organizational knowledge explicitly. Understanding these assumptions is critical since it would give hints on how to manage knowledge in such settings. The chapter is finalized by explaining the dimensions of the knowledge management process.
TopResearch Methodology
This conceptual study is designed as a systematic review. The method utilized requires a systematic approach for searching and contextualizing existing literature (Samnani et al., 2017). In other words, the study set out to compile and synthesize scientific research that intends to understand knowledge management in business settings. The data for this study is gathered through analyzing the range of quality researches and online collections. Initially, numerous review questions were identified: What is knowledge and organizational knowledge? What are the different epistemological stances that explain knowledge? How do these stances constitute different knowledge forms? What is organizational knowledge and how can it be managed effectively? What are the dimensions of knowledge management? What are the primary assumptions of competing stances that explain the knowledge management process differently? Following this, several advanced search criteria were determined based on these questions. Data classification and analysis were then performed considering predetermined search criteria. The information acquired was categorized under main topics and synthesized systematically.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Organizational Knowledge: A learned set of norms, shared understandings and practices that integrate actors and artefacts to produce valued outcomes within a specific social and organizational context.
Explicit Knowledge: A form of knowledge that is relatively easy to encode and share across contexts.
Epistemology of Practice: Is the perspective that considers knowledge (or knowing) as a socially situated phenomenon produced by practicing.
Tacit Knowledge: A form of knowledge that cannot be easily codified and articulated across contexts.
Knowledge: A fluid mix of framed experience, values, contextual information, and expert insight that provides a framework for evaluating and incorporating new experiences and information.
Knowledge Management: A set of formal and informal processes that facilitate the creation, capture, and distribution of knowledge.
Epistemology of Possession: Is the perspective that treats knowledge as an object or an asset that can be stored, transferred, and utilized.
Community Of Practice: Social networks in which knowledge is framed based on shared considerations and vested interests.