Exploring the world of knowledge management: agreements and disagreements in the academic/practitioner community

TLDR

Knowledge management has evolved over the past 15 years through new frameworks and technologies, yet it remains in an early developmental stage. The study reviews the current state of KM, analyzes agreements and disagreements among scholars and practitioners, and identifies key research gaps. The authors conducted a comprehensive literature review of papers, books, reports, and websites to synthesize the main points of consensus and contention. The authors conclude that the third generation of KM should focus on developing evaluation criteria, measuring knowledge assets, incorporating double‑loop learning, assessing costs, leveraging modern technologies, expanding application to broader social domains, and clarifying conceptual distinctions, all of which warrant further investigation.

Abstract

Purpose During the last 15 years, knowledge management (KM) has changed from one generation to the next through constant improvements and new perspectives. A myriad researchers have presented methodologies, frameworks, technologies and have discussed various KM theoretical and practical issues. However, KM still needs extensive development – it is in its infancy. This paper aims to explore the world of KM in a different way; to review the current status quo and analyze the main agreements and disagreements among researchers and practitioners in order to highlight the key issues which need to be further researched. Design/methodology/approach The authors attempt to review and analyze in a coherent way the main agreements and disagreements among researchers and practitioners – in the field of KM – based on a wide range of published works, including papers, books, reports and web sites. Findings Based on the key agreements among researchers and practitioners and having in mind the remaining disagreements, the third KM generation should proceed to further investigation of several KM issues and to further research. Research limitations/implications The key issues highlighted here need to be researched further. Following on from the individual‐knowledge focus of the 1970s/1980s and the group‐knowledge focus of the 1990s/2000s, the third KM generation should: develop criteria for evaluating frameworks, methodologies and approaches, and systems for measuring knowledge, intellectual capital and other assets; include double‐loop learning; analyse investments and costs of KM Systems; use modern technologies for transfer of explicit knowledge; and apply KM to other areas of social life. There is also a need to clarify the meanings of differences between the various concepts discussed here. Originality/value The distinguishing feature of this study is that it emphasizes placing KM in a broader context of researchers/practitioners’ discussions so that the key issues can be better recognized and understood.