bjoerg,
In developing a model for Knowledge Management, we (the KMC) had to deal
with these terms. The following is a simplistic boiling down of the KMC
model:
First we started with a general theory called Complex Adaptive Systems
(CAS) In simple terms -- an organism (organization) that learns how to
manage its rules better than another has a better chance to survive. Being
adaptive and forwardseeking are important ingredients to successful CAS
that also requires the need to learn faster and better than others.
Moving to the Economic Standpoint
Successful firms are those that learn how to acquire (imitate) the
techniques (knowledge) of others better than others and/or innovate new
techniques (new knowledge) better than others.
>From a KM Perspective
Each organization has natural knowledge processes with includes:
Knowledge production
Knowledge acquisition
Knowledge transfer
Knowledge sharing
Knowledge refinement
etc.
By definition, organizational learning is a knowledge process.
Knowledge Management is the attempt to influence the organizational
environment to improve the knowledge processes. KM processes include:
Measuring
Analyzing
Adjusting
Adding soft and hard tools when appropriate
By definition, KM proceses include managing organizational learning (in
the Senge sense of the word 'Management')
Intellectual capital is looking at knowledge from an economic standpoint.
It is knowledge that has some value to a firm. Most of this knowledge is
in the form of tacit knowledge. Attempts are being made to determine its
value.
The KMC was formed a year ago to counter the technology vendor's
contention that their products manage knowledge. That KM was a technology
thing. Fortunately, the KMC now includes some of these vendors along with
IT, Business Management, and HR professionals. A shared vision and common
understanding is emerging that define KM as a thing that people do.
Technology produces cognitive artifact to help people do it better.
We are still working through the definitions and encourage open dialogue.
Please feel free to comment on our approach.
Ed Swanstrom
Executive Director
Knowledge Management Consortium (KMC)
Ed Swanstrom <km@km.org>
--Ed Swanstrom <km@km.org>
Learning-org -- Hosted by Rick Karash <rkarash@karash.com> Public Dialog on Learning Organizations -- <http://www.learning-org.com>