Is higher education ready for knowledge management?

TLDR

Higher education institutions operate in the knowledge business, creating, disseminating, and learning from knowledge. The study examines how knowledge‑management concepts apply to UK higher‑education institutions. The authors review existing facilities—libraries, electronic learning collections, email networks, and student‑profile information systems—identify challenges to building a knowledge environment, and explore opportunities that arise when treating knowledge as an asset. They conclude that although knowledge‑based organisations stand to gain most, effective knowledge management demands substantial cultural, structural, and reward changes, and that managing the relationship between knowledge and power is essential.

Abstract

Higher education institutions are in the knowledge business, since they are involved in knowledge creation and dissemination and learning. Examines the applicability of the concepts of knowledge management to higher education institutions in the United Kingdom. Identifies a number of existing facilities, systems or projects which contribute to knowledge management in higher education, such as libraries, and electronic collections of learning materials, networks for e‐mail communication, and management information systems which provide data on the student profile. Then considers the challenges associated with the creation of a knowledge environment in higher education, and explores the opportunities offered by viewing knowledge as an asset. Concludes by noting that although knowledge based organizations might seem to have the most to gain through knowledge management, effective knowledge management may require significant change in culture and values, organizational structures and reward systems. The management of the relationship between knowledge and power is crucial.