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In order to conduct a study of this nature, it is important to first define the key terms and concepts which will be used. These concepts include definitions of Knowledge, Knowledge Management, and the Knowledge Management Cycle. The definitions were chosen based on their applicability to the research conducted by the authors, but also the extent to which the definitions contained aspects which would be generally accepted by those in the Knowledge Management field.
Knowledge can be described in many ways depending on your interest and context. Davenport and Prusak (1998) provide an excellent definition of this concept:
“Knowledge is a fluid mix of framed experience, values, contextual information, expert insight and grounded intuition that provides an environment and framework for evaluating and incorporating new experiences and information. It originates and is applied in the minds of knowers. In organizations, it often becomes embedded not only in documents or repositories but also in organizational routines, processes, practices, and norms” (p. 5).
Knowledge Management
There are a number of definitions in the literature explaining knowledge management. Liss (1999) describes KM as “a formal, directed process of determining what information a company has that could benefit others in the company and then devising ways to make it easily available” (p. 1). Skyrme (2007) also provides an interesting definition of knowledge management, and this definition is particularly useful as it applies itself well to a variety of contexts. “Knowledge Management is the explicit and systematic management of vital knowledge - and its associated processes of creation, organization, diffusion, use and exploitation - in pursuit of business objectives” (para. 1).
Finally, a definition that augments Skyrme’s comes from Tiwana (1999) whose definition addresses the purpose of KM. “Knowledge management enables the creation, communication, and application of knowledge of all kinds to achieve business goals” (p. 3). Although knowledge management has been used in conjunction with terms such as information management and intellectual capital, in this paper we will focus on knowledge management as described above.