Knowledge Management Methodology: Developing a Phenomenalogical Middle-range Thinking Approach for Knowledge Management Research

Abstract

In light of the fact that KM research and practice embraces a wide range of activities and interest, complexity emerges when consideration is given to the actual conduct of research to be undertaken. Drawing from numerous literature, KM covers, on the one hand, technological interventions (objectivist perspective) that aim to support knowledge sharing, while on the other hand, it also covers the appreciation of social approaches (practice-based perspective) that emphasise the importance of people in sharing knowledge. Due to the fact that KM covers such a broad spectrum of area, it calls for greater scrutiny into the way that research is undertaken. The aim of this paper is to discuss the methodological issues within which the KM study should be undertaken. The paper considers the appropriateness of a particular methodology stance for the KM research while focusing on research processes. In particular, a phenomenological approach to middle-range theory is used to develop a comprehensive framework of KM as context of the study. The rationale for using a phenomenological to middle-range theory is provided from the viewpoint that it requires researchers to focus on developing theory which produces explanations that are arguably a more realistic depiction of the hard/technical and soft/social nature of KM practices.