Personal Knowledge Management as Basis for Successful Organizational Knowledge Management in the Digital Age

Abstract

For many years, personal knowledge management (PKM) has been a minor issue in organizational knowledge management (OKM) programs. In the emerging digital age, there is a growing realization, that PKM might help developing the needed skills for the digital age. This paper describes the interrelation of OKM and PKM and how the latter can serve as a means for developing the outlined skills. For further clarifying the term, several definitions of PKM are presented. Some PKM models and frameworks (Kolb's ‘learning circle’, Nonaka's et al. SECI model and concept of ‘Ba’, Smedley's ‘PKM octohedron’, Reinmann/Eppler's ‘Wissenswege’) are evaluated for their applicability in practice. A less complex concept, namely Jarche's ‘Seek Sense Share framework’, is described in more detail and related to the ‘Fitness Circuit for PKM’. This ‘Fitness Circuit for PKM’ is suggested as a practical approach for developing digital skills in a sustainable way.