Knowledge Management

Knowledge management has captured the headlines of management literature. However, confusion still abounds as to how exactly this concept should be interpreted in terms of individual organizations. Some organizations recognize the strategic value of their intellectual assets, and view knowledge management as a way of protecting and capitalizing on these resources. For them knowledge management programs offer a strategic focus for a fundamental change in working practices. Some organizations may see knowledge management as a vehicle to instill teamwork and a collegiate working practice among their employees, with the objective for each employee to fulfil their potential. Other organizations regard knowledge management as an approach towards the efficient use of information and communication technology, using electronic networks to channel and record communication and work flows. For some organizations, however, knowledge management serves merely as a new rhetoric, another dawn, promising better, more effective ways of working.