Creating feedback loops to support organizational learning and knowledge management in inquiring organizations

Abstract

Information technology both facilitates and exacerbates the need for organizations to manage growing information and knowledge bases. Soon, the only successful enterprises may be those who have successfully evolved into learning organizations. The philosophical bases underlying traditional decision support systems (DSSs) are ill-equipped either to handle this explosion of information in today's rapidly changing business environment, or to support a learning organization. A comprehensive knowledge management system (KMS) based on the philosophies of inquiring systems (ISs) allows organizational learning to occur by providing both decision support and management of existing and created knowledge. By combining the DSS paradigm with an IS, an organization is capable of designing a comprehensive KMS that fully supports learning within the organization. The development of such a system allows executives to rely more fully on the support system, freeing up valuable time to establish goals and to guide the organization to its ultimate success.