Knowledge re-use as engineering re-use: extracting values from knowledge management

Abstract

This paper presents a knowledge-sharing framework for achieving effective knowledge reuse within industrial organisations. This knowledge re-use paradigm goes beyond traditional engineering re-use which focuses solely on re-applying tangible resources such as hardware components, software objects or information repositories in new situations. The Knowledge-Sharing Management (KSM) framework describes how managers can align knowledge management strategy with corporate core competence strategy by articulating the values and risks of knowledge re-use. A general knowledge-sharing process is abstracted into a five-stage process model (adoption, adaptation, absorption, integration, dissemination), supported by four pillar components (organisational infrastructure, actor, technological enabler, sharing channel), which together guide the design of the work environment and processes by integrating the concept of effective knowledge reuse. 1