Knowledge management (
KM) comprises a range of strategies and practices used in an organisation to identify, create, represent, distribute, and enable adoption of
insights and
experiences. Such insights and experiences comprise
knowledge, either embodied in individuals or embedded in organisations as
processes or practices.
An established
discipline since 1991 (see Nonaka 1991), KM includes courses taught in the fields of
business administration,
information systems, management, and library and
information sciences. More recently, other fields have started contributing to KM research; these include information and media,
computer science,
public health, and
public policy.
Many large companies and non-profit organisations have resources dedicated to internal KM efforts, often as a part of their
business strategy, information technology, or
human resource management departments. Several consulting companies also exist that provide strategy and advice regarding KM to these organisations.
Knowledge management efforts typically focus on organisational
objectives such as improved performance,
competitive advantage, innovation, the sharing of lessons learned, integration and
continuous improvement of the organisation. KM efforts overlap with
organisational learning, and may be distinguished from that by a greater focus on the management of knowledge as a strategic asset and a focus on encouraging the sharing of knowledge. It is seen as an enabler of organisational learning and a more concrete mechanism than the previous abstract research.