developer@cardsetc.com.au wrote:
> Can someone tell me the relationships (or differences) between
> organisational learning and knowledge management please? it seems to me
> they are interchangeable terms.
>
> Lee
>
> [Host's Note: I don't see these two terms as interchangable. I'll let
> others comment and will add more when I can. ..Rick]
Lee:
I agree with Rick. While the two terms are indeed closely related, there
is a difference. Organizational learning refers to the social process by
which organizational knowledge is created (i.e., collectively- or
mutually-held knowledge). Knowledge management, on the other hand, is a
management discipline that seeks to facilitate or enhance organizational
learning through a variety of people, process and technology
interventions. You could think of knowledge management as "organizational
learning PROCESS management."
I also find it useful to distinguish between "supply-side" KM versus
"demand-side KM." Supply-side KM focuses mainly on knowledge capture,
codification and sharing, while demand-side KM focuses more on knowledge
creation. KM strategies that reflect a balance between the two are more
effective in the long run.
In sum, human organizations are learning, knowledge production systems.
Organizational learning theory helps us understand how such learning
happens from a social system perspective. Knowledge management is the
applied science of helping organizations reach their full learning
potential by either removing barriers to effective learning and/or by
strengthening, if not amplifying, natural knowledge processes that account
for the production, validation and diffusion of new knowledge in human
social systems. KM is the practice side of OL.
Hope that helps.
Mark
[Host's Note: Thanks Mark... In addition I'll refer Lee and other
interested parties to Mark's August msg which mentioned two articles he
has written on "Second-Generation Knowledge Management"
http://www.learning-org.com/99.08/0082.html
..Rick]
--"Mark W. McElroy" <mmcelroy@vermontel.net>
Learning-org -- Hosted by Rick Karash <rkarash@karash.com> Public Dialog on Learning Organizations -- <http://www.learning-org.com>