The Kiel maturity model as a future-oriented mindset for sustainable knowledge management processes

Abstract

Sustainability can be understood as the concept of being in business permanently. This interpretation leads to an 'attitude' based on long-term thinking and value-driven activities to realise organisational benefits. The key basis for sustainable management processes in our knowledge-driven economy is formed by organisational knowledge and learning processes. But how can a manager with such an attitude concretely implement sustainability in his strategic work? What are the main assets in his specific organisation? How does the roadmap for the sustainability strategy - optimised for his organisation - look like? This paper provides answers and offers with the Kiel maturity model an innovative approach for practitioners with a scientific underpinning. It aims to facilitate the implementation of an individualised knowledge management as the main asset that focuses on organisational learning. In our knowledge-based society, the importance of organisational knowledge and learning strongly increases. In this paper, knowledge and learning are seen as the most relevant asset group. The Kiel maturity model focuses this asset group and offers for future-oriented management leaders an individual adaptable framework for developing their specific sustainability roadmap.