Systems thinking on knowledge and its management: systems methodology for knowledge management

TLDR

Knowledge management is increasingly viewed as essential for organizational and national survival and growth, drawing on diverse disciplines and examined through a systems science lens. The study seeks to identify the fundamental levels of knowledge processes that should guide knowledge management, moving beyond advocacy to propose a systematic perspective using critical and soft systems thinking. The authors employ critical and soft systems thinking to develop a systematic perspective and toolbox for knowledge management across multiple levels and phases.

Abstract

KM is increasingly imperative as it is regarded as the key determinant of a firm, industry or country for survival and growth in knowledge era. Varieties of disciplines have made contributions to knowledge and knowledge management. Research focuses on one or more specific fields, but to understand which levels of knowledge processes knowledge management should concentrate on, should be more fundamental than advocacy of knowledge management. Knowledge‐related matters were examined from the viewpoint of systems science. Using critical systems thinking, soft systems thinking etc., a new systematic perspective on knowledge was proposed, aiming to provide a new way of thinking and a useful toolbox on different levels and phases of knowledge management for practical knowledge users.