It doesn’t seem far-fetched to claim that progress of human societies can be attributed to the practice of refining the existing knowledge acquired. One can argue that innovations are achieved by reassessing existing knowledge/systems in order to achieve improved/new outcomes.
While this process of innovation and advancement based on captured knowledge originated centuries (or millenniums ago), it was only in the last 20-25 years that the systematic study of knowledge management started (King, 2009).
Existing literature on knowledge management is commonly linked the use of knowledge management within the organizational context—most publications on this topic focus on how knowledge can be better managed to enhance systems and processes within organizations.
Yet, the use of knowledge permeates our everyday lives and I believe this process [of knowledge management] inevitably expands to personal, cultural and spiritual spheres of our lives (as it is with political and economic spheres). Just as organizations capture knowledge for their operations, we – as individuals –rely on what we know of others in our communications and interactions. Similarly, societies founded on shared cultural values and histories make use of the common knowledge for their functions and to pursue common goals.
I start this blog with the intent of exploring the multiple and intricate ways in which knowledge management applies to various aspects of our lives –on the individual, organizational and societal levels; and interpreted through the varied approaches/lenses of anthropology, sociology, economics etc.
As I begin this journey of unraveling the topic of knowledge management, I anticipate many exciting discoveries await.
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Citation
King (William), 2009. "Knowledge Management and Organizational Learning." Web: http://www.uky.edu/~gmswan3/575/KM_and_OL.pdf
