Issues in Knowledge Management

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Challenges and Issues in Knowledge Management – that explore the various perspectives, focusing on Knowledge Management (KM) within the context of the management consulting industry, the dynamics associated with knowledge sharing and dissemination, methodological approaches to studying knowledge in organizations, and reflections on KM and management consulting. Many organizations are increasingly viewed as knowledge-based enterprises in which formal knowledge management is essential. Nowadays, KM is rapidly becoming an integral business activity for organizations as they realize that competitiveness pivots around the effective management of knowledge.KM promises much, but often delivers very little. There are no simple solutions to this challenge. This article starts by trying to define what KM is. It then identifies where the problems lie and suggests five steps to resolve those problems. KM has become an important tool in staying ahead in the competition between companies. In this article five different phases of the KM process are distinguished: acquiring knowledge, codifying knowledge, disseminating knowledge, developing knowledge and applying knowledge. The occurrence of KM problems is demonstrated in a case study in a knowledge-intensive company. Most of the problems in this case occur in the first three phases of the KM process. It is recommended that the company monitors on a regular basis, starting from its core competencies and its strategy, what essential knowledge their employees are lacking and encourages them to acquire it. Furthermore, the company should ensure that employees have time to codify their knowledge regularly and that adequate information systems are in place and kept up-to-date. The dissemination of knowledge can be improved by working in different teams, coupling junior with senior employees, and by the exchange of new knowledge between employees on a regular basis by encouraging the development of communities of practice and by the systematic creation of learning histories.