As most people who have worked in the area know, one of KM's commonly quoted flaws is that there isn't one "gospel" definition of KM.
I thought it would be interesting to work through the definitions and summarize how these definitions talk about KM. I've also made a judgment call on whether they really are talking about KM or not.
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Def
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Author
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Key Points
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Evaluation
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1
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Alavi & Leidner (2001)
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Process based definition. Includes creation ("knowledge creation"), codification ("knowledge storage and retrieval"), learning ("knowledge transfer"), and improved execution ("knowledge application"). Doesn't distinguish between organisational knowledge, individual knowledge, and knowledge assets.
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KM, codification bias
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2
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ASTD Learning System
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Management/process hybrid. Focuses on exploitation of knowledge assets. Includes creation, harvesting, classification, codification, and improved execution
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KM, codification bias
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3
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Blair
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Process based, highlighting continuous improvement, creation and learning
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KM, but doesn't really explain how to do KM
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4
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BPTrends
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N/A
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Not KM. Information Management if anything
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5
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Bridgefield Group
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Management based, highlighting creation, codification, distribution, and learning
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Heavy information systems bias. Suspect that 'knowledge' and 'information' are being used interchangeably here
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6
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Brooking (1999)
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Process based, highlighting retention, creation, codification and knowledge assets
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This is a mish-mash of HR and IM
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7
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Business Resources Online
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Management based, highlighting collaboration, creation, harvesting, classification, distribution and knowledge assets
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Old fashioned KM definition, doesn't include the concept of organisational learning
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8
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CIO Magazine
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Process based, highlighting codification, distribution, improved execution and knowledge assets
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Generating value is important, but relying on codification has proven to be insufficient for effective KM
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10
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Cura Consortium
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Management based to exploit knowledge assets
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Given that the exact nature of tacit and explicit knowledge are themselves open to debate, this definition adds little of use
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11
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eLiteral
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Process based definition, highlighting learning, collaboration and distribution
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Quite a complex definition
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12
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Firestone (2008)
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Management based, highlighting continuous improvement, improved processing, learning
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Joe's definition is important but quite distinct from most other KM definitions since it requires improved processing of knowledge
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13
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Frappaolo (2006)
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Management based, highlighting improved execution and creation
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If we substitute 'organisational knowledge' for 'collective wisdom' it's basically a sound definition but very short on detail
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14
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Gartner Group (1996)
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Management based, highlighting discovery, distribution and codification
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This definition makes the assumption that knowledge can't be 'managed' until it is codified
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15
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Groff & Jones (2003)
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Process based, highlighting retention, learning, classification, creation, and distribution
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This definition wouldn't require 'codification' but it's not clear how you can classify business expertise without codifying it
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16
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Gurteen
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Process based, highlighting creation, distribution and improved execution
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Again, notice how this definition of KM as actual processes rather than a management effort directed at these processes
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17
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Gurteen
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Process based, highlighting distribution and improved execution
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Quite sound, treats knowledge as an individual asset
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18
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Holsapple & Joshi (2004)
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Management based, highlighting creation, cultural change and improved execution
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OK, has a lot of fluff in there
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19
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Hresko (2003)
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Process based, highlighting distribution and creation
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Seems based solely on the codification of organisational knowledge
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20
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Information Alchemy
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KM as individual skill, highlighting improved execution
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Strange definition - "this can't be taught!"
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21
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Jennex (2005)
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KM as individual skill, highlighting improved execution
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Again sees KM as as a skill
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22
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KM-Experts
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Management based, highlighting distribution, improved execution, creation and learning
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Quite sound, but light on substance
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23
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Knapp, E
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Management based, focusing on exploitation of knowledge assets
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Seems like a "magic incantation" definition (requiring consultants??)
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24
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Knowledge Based Solutions
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Process based, highlighting distribution, improved execution
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Doesn't explore how these "knowledge systems" get created in the first place and why this shouldn't be part of KM
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25a
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Knowledge Praxis
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Management based, essentially saying 'a manager gets appointed to look after KM, whatever KM is'
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By providing two definitions for KM, Knowledge Praxis tries to have its cake and eat it too, with fairly unconvincing results
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25b
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Knowledge Praxis
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Process based, highlighting improved execution by using knowledge assets
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(see above)
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26
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Uni of South Queensland (non-authoritative)
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Management based, highlighting improved execution
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Generic definition of KM
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27
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Mahle
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Management based highlighting resource assignment
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Interesting definition since it implies the idea of assigning resources based on the knowledge they hold
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28
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Malhotra (2005)
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Process based, highlighting learning, improved execution, and creation
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Heavy information systems bias
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29
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MIT Sloan
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Process based, highlighting codification, classification and distribution
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A literal reading would give a definition of IM, not KM, but this is being generous
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30
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Mountain Quest Institute
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Management based, highlighting knowledge assets, improved execution
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A long-winded way of saying very little
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31
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NSW Government
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Management based definition highlighting improved execution
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Generic definition
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32
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O'Dell, Elliott and Hubert (2000)
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Management based highlighting improved execution, learning and distribution
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A bit vague, but otherwise OK
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33
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O'Dell and Grayson (1998)
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Management based highlighting distribution and improved execution
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Doesn't include any concept of learning
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34
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PHRED Solutions
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Process based highlighting codification and distribution
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Focuses on sharing rather than learning
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35
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Qualis Health
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N/A
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Not a KM definition!
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36
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Rumizen (2002)
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Management based, highlighting creation, codification, distribution and improved execution
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Again very generic
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37
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SearchDomino.com
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Management based, highlighting harvesting, classification, distribution, learning
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Although the codification of knowledge is only implied, it is clear that this focuses heavily on the requirement to codify knowledge
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38
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David Skyrme Associates
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Management/process hybrid, highlighting classification, creation, distribution, and improved execution
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Concept of 'vital knowledge' is treated as "classification" (without classifying knowledge, how will you know if it is vital?)
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39
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TranslationDirectory.com
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N/A
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Not KM
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40
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UniSA Planning and Assurance Services
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Management based, highlighting improved execution and knowledge assets
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Carefully doesn't talk about 'knowledge stores' as being explicit information repositories
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41
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Weik/Blair
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Process based, highlighting distribution, cultural change, collaboration and learning
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Interestingly, doesn't highlight improved execution
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42
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Wikipedia
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Process based, highlighting discovery, creation, codification and distribution
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Doesn't specify why these activities are being done
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43
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WorldWideLearn
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Process based, highlighting harvesting, classification, creation and distribution
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Open to interpretation - could just mean extensive codification into a KB or something far more interesting
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44
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Vivian (2005)
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Process based, highlighting improved execution and learning
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An early definition by Kaye
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45
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Vivian (2006)
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Process based, highlighting collaboration, harvesting, creation and distribution
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A bit too tech-heavy for my liking
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46
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Tsoukas and Vladimirou
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KM as skill, highlighting codification and learning
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A strange one, in that the individual's KM skills appears to rely upon their codification of existing knowledge and teaching this to others
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47
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Unknown
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N/A
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Not KM - using IM and 'hoping' for new K as a result
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48
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Sveiby
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Management based, highlighting improved execution and knowledge assets
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pithy but again very broad
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49
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Stuart
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Management based, highlighting retention, creation, classification and distribution
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almost but not quite an IM pitch
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50
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Beijerse
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Management based, highlighting learning
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doesn't mention collaboration as being important at all!
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51
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Amidon
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Process based, highlighting creation, knowledge assets, distribution, improved execution
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very heavy on the idea of converting Intellectual Capital into $$$
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52
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Grey
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Management based, highlighting collaboration, creation, harvesting, classification, distribution, improved execution and knowledge assets
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hits a lot of buzzwords
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53
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Hoyt Consulting
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Process based, highlighting collaboration, distribution and improved execution
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Pretty good for an explanation of why; doesn't really cover how
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54
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Vivian
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Same as above
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Same as above
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