Ulrike Heid

A concept for knowledge management: A comparison of knowledge management and information management Ulrike Heid

MA-Thesis / Master, die am 08.12.1999 erfolgreich an einer Universität in Gro�britannien im Fachbereich Information Science eingereicht wurde. Abstract: A new discipline that has arisen recently as a hot new topic for management is knowledge management. Not only is management challenged to face the strategic importance for competitive advantage that business consultants promise, but also information professionals who have been engaged in this subject already for quite a long time. This dissertation focuses on a comparison of knowledge management with information management, based on a model that embraces both information and knowledge. Founded on an examination of the unique characteristics of knowledge, the concept of knowledge management is introduced. To stay in synch with the pace of change in their operational and competitive environments organisations require a balance of organisational competencies for knowledge management and change proficiency. This requires a new kind of learning called "double-loop learning" and implies knowledge flows across organisational boundaries. Knowledge Management can be expected to fundamentally change the management perspective on movements such as Total Quality Management and Business Re-engineering, forcing management to basically rethink the theory of processes. Another focus of this dissertation is on the role that technology plays in knowledge management. As information professionals are traditionally concerned with technology it has been considered to look at knowledge management technology in more detail. Technology is one of six key factors facilitating knowledge management. The focus further on is on approaches to classify knowledge management technology and a survey of the knowledge management software market. The dissertation is accomplished through a glossary of the most important technical terms in context with knowledge management as well as a list of products from knowledge management vendors. The c...