Are We Stuck With Knowledge Management?: A Case for Strategic Knowledge Resource Development

What Is Meant By Knowledge?

Theorists such as Mingers (2008) have identified a lack of definition as a weakness in the field, where too many papers fail to establish a situated definition of knowledge, and thereby take an overly simplified view of its economic value.

Knowledge in its epistemological form is frequently referred to as ‘justified true belief’ (Plato, cited in Kakabadse et al., 2003, p. 76). It has also been described in the modern context as ‘information combined with experience, context, interpretation and reflection’ (Kulkarni et al., 2006). Wilson (2002) states that:

Others present an ontological position in suggesting that Knowledge exists in three states: ‘Knowledge-as-data’, ‘Knowledge-as-meaning’ and ‘Knowledge-as-practice’ (Spender, 2005). It is also said to be part of a flow or evolution process: ‘Data – Information – Knowledge – Understanding – Wisdom’ (Sarah&Haslet, 2003). Wilson (2002) makes an important differentiation between knowledge and information from an organisational perspective by positing that the externalisation of what we know outside of the mind constitutes information.