Contents

Preface List of Abbreviations List of Tables List of Figures Acknowledgments Chapter 1 Knowledge in an Organizational Context

vii xxi xxiii xxv xxvii 1 1 1 3 5 9 14 18 20 23 23 31 31 31

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Knowledge Objectives 1.1 Introducing the Chapter 1.2 The Notion of Knowledge from a Philosophical Perspective 1.3 Organizational Knowledge Defined 1.4 Knowledge Hierarchy 1.5 Perspectives on Knowledge in Organizations 1.6 The Role of Knowledge in an Organizational Context 1.7 Concluding Summary Further Reading References Chapter 2 Strategic Role of Knowledge Management

Knowledge Objectives 2.1 Introducing the Chapter

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2.2

Relevant Topics Associated with Knowledge Management 2.2.1 Organizational Knowledge and Its Typology 2.2.2 Knowledge Transfer 2.2.3 Knowledge Creation 2.2.4 Knowledge Storage 2.3 Knowledge Management Defined 2.4 Knowledge Management Process 2.4.1 Acquisition of Organizational Knowledge 2.4.2 Creation of Organizational Knowledge 2.4.3 Storage of Organizational Knowledge 2.4.4 Transfer of Organizational Knowledge 2.4.5 Application of Organizational Knowledge 2.5 The Role of Knowledge Management in Organizations 2.6 Concluding Summary Further Reading References Chapter 3 Debates in the Knowledge Management Field

33 34 35 36 37 38 45 47 48 49 49 51 51 56 59 59 71 71 71 74 75 76 79 86 88 88

Knowledge Objectives 3.1 Introducing the Chapter 3.2 Lack of a Homogeneous Definition for Organizational Knowledge 3.3 Lack of a Universal Definition for Knowledge Management 3.4 Knowledge Management: A Multidisciplinary Subject or a Specific Ideology? 3.5 Knowledge Management: A Universal Paradigm or a Management Fad? 3.6 Perspectives on Knowledge Management: A Technical-Centric or Social-Centric View? 3.6.1 Perspectives on Knowledge Management: The Social-Centric View 3.6.2 Perspectives on Knowledge Management: The Technical-Centric View

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Combined Approach to Knowledge Management: The Socio-Technical Approach 3.7 Concluding Summary Further Reading References Chapter 4 The Sources of Organizational Knowledge

3.6.3

89 90 93 93 99 99 99 100 101 102 106 107 109 111 112 113 116 120 121 121 125 125 125 128 129 133 134

Knowledge Objectives 4.1 Introducing the Chapter 4.2 Existing Theories of Organizational Knowledge 4.2.1 Polanyis Theory of Knowledge 4.2.2 Nonakas Theory of Knowledge 4.2.3 Spenders Theory of Knowledge 4.2.4 Blacklers Theory of Knowledge 4.3 Gaps in Theories of Organizational Knowledge 4.3.1 Sources of Organizational Knowledge 4.3.2 The Role of External Sources of Organizational Knowledge 4.3.3 The Organizational Knowledge of Various Stakeholders Outside an Organization 4.4 Alternative View of Knowledge Typology 4.5 Concluding Summary Further Reading References Chapter 5 Organizations in the Knowledge-Based Economy

Knowledge Objectives 5.1 Introducing the Chapter 5.2 The Notion of the Knowledge-Based Economy 5.2.1 Features of the Agrarian, Industrial and Knowledge Societies 5.3 Organizations in the Knowledge Economy 5.3.1 Typology of Organizations Based on Knowledge Intensity

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5.3.2 Knowledge-Based Organization (KBO) 5.3.3 Knowledge-Intensive Firm (KIF) 5.3.4 Professional Service Firm (PSF) 5.3.5 Knowledge-Creating Company (KCC) 5.4 Knowledge Intensity Continuum 5.4.1 The Notion of Hybrid Organizations in the Knowledge Economy 5.5 Concluding Summary Further Reading References Chapter 6 Disciplinary Roots of Knowledge Management

134 135 140 141 142 145 147 148 148 155 155 155 157 158 164 169 170 170 175 175 175 177 178 182 183

Knowledge Objectives 6.1 Introducing the Chapter 6.2 Genesis of the Knowledge Management Field 6.3 Knowledge Management: An Offshoot of a Single Discipline or Many Disciplines? 6.4 Connections Between Knowledge Management and Other Disciplines 6.5 Concluding Summary Further Reading References Chapter 7 Knowledge Management and Information Management

Knowledge Objectives 7.1 Introducing the Chapter 7.2 The Notion of Information Management 7.3 The Origin of Information Management 7.4 Scholars Views on the Connection Between Knowledge Management and Information Management 7.4.1 Knowledge Management as an Offshoot of Information Management

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Information Management and Knowledge Management as Complementary to Each Other 7.5 The Intersection Between Knowledge Management and Information Management 7.6 Concluding Summary Further Reading References Chapter 8 Knowledge Management and Organizational Learning

7.4.2

185

187 197 199 200 205 205 205 209 213 213 215 218 220 221 222 224 232 234 235 245 245 245

Knowledge Objectives 8.1 Introducing the Chapter 8.2 Organizational Learning Defined 8.3 Origins of Organizational Learning 8.4 The Role of Organizational Learning 8.5 Properties of Organizational Learning 8.6 Scholars Views on the Connection Between Knowledge Management and Organizational Learning 8.6.1 Knowledge Management as an Outcome of Organizational Learning 8.6.2 Knowledge Management and Organizational Learning as Two Distinct Disciplines 8.6.3 Knowledge Management and Organizational Learning as Complementary to Each Other 8.7 Linkage Between Knowledge Management and Organizational Learning 8.8 Concluding Summary Further Reading References Chapter 9 Knowledge Management and Strategic Management

Knowledge Objectives 9.1 Introducing the Chapter

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9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5

Strategic Management Defined The Origins of Strategic Management Key Areas of Strategic Management Research Scholars Views on the Connection Between Knowledge Management and Strategic Management 9.5.1 Knowledge Management as a Key Element of Strategic Management 9.5.2 The Strategic Management Role for Knowledge Management Implementation 9.5.3 Strategic Management and Knowledge Management as Complementary to Each Other 9.6 Linkage Between Strategic Management and Knowledge Management 9.7 Concluding Summary Further Reading References Chapter 10 Knowledge Management and Innovation Management Knowledge Objectives 10.1 Introducing the Chapter 10.2 Innovation Management Defined 10.3 Terminology Associated with Innovation Management 10.4 Typologies of Innovation 10.4.1 Typology of Innovation Based on the Nature of Innovation 10.4.2 Typology of Innovation Based on the Form of Innovation 10.5 The Role of Innovation Management 10.6 Key Areas in Innovation Management 10.7 Scholars Views on the Connection Between Knowledge Management and Innovation Management 10.8 Linkage Between Knowledge Management and Innovation Management

249 252 254 261 262 264 266

267 273 274 275 285 285 285 287 289 295 295 297 298 301 303 308

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10.9 Concluding Summary Further Reading References Chapter 11 Knowledge Management Challenges Knowledge Objectives 11.1 Introducing the Chapter 11.2 A Brief Overview 11.3 The Challenges of Knowledge Management 11.4 Epilogue Further Reading References Bibliography Index

313 316 317 325 325 325 326 329 342 343 344 349 397