The frontiers of knowledge management
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/03055720610703579 |
| Pages | 284-288 |
| Date | 01 July 2006 |
| Published date | 01 July 2006 |
| Author | Kevin C. Desouza |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management |
ARTICLES
The frontiers of knowledge
management
Kevin C. Desouza
The Information School, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
Abstract
Purpose – This paper seeks to discuss the new frontiers of knowledge management research.
Design/methodology/approach – The paper is based on the author’s experiences of putting
together a compilation of writings by scholars on the future of knowledge management.
Findings – The paper outlines a research agenda for knowledge management.
Originality/value – The paper sheds light on critical problems that need to be examined in order to
advance the field of knowledge management. Current scholars and students in the area of knowledge
management can gain from the insights presented here.
Keywords Knowledge management, Sciences, Research
Paper type Viewpoint
In this perspective paper, I would like to share my thoughts on how might we seek out
the new frontiers of knowledge management. This paper is based on my keynote talk
at the Second International Conference on Knowledge Management (Charlotte, North
Carolina, October, 2005) and my introductory comments in my edited collection, New
Frontiers of Knowledge Management (Desouza, 2005). A frontier is a new field for
exploration or developmental activity. Is knowledge management a field that is has
novelty left in it? A frontier can signify a line of division between different things. Is
knowledge management research integrative of theoretical frameworks, learning, and
experiences found in different disciplines or it much of the research silo-based? Finally,
a frontier can mean the furthermost limits. Have we reached the maturation point in
terms of research on knowledge management?
Before I make my comments, several caveats need to be noted. First, my intention
here is not to criticize the efforts of researchers or their outputs (papers, presentations,
or books). Rather, my intention here is to scrutinize and provide some personal
reflections. Second, like with all perspective or opinion-based commentary, each reader
will have a chance to either agree or disagree with the comments that follow. I
encourage the debate on these issues to be carried out, so please do be vocal. Third, and
final, I am guilty of most of the things that I outline below, and hence by writing this
paper, I hope to use it as a litmus test for the kind of future research projects that I
engage in.
A field of exploration or developmental activity
The field of knowledge management continues to witness exponential growth. Since
the days of seminal writings by scholars and practitioners, such as Ikujiro Nonaka and
Hirotaka Takeuchi, Thomas Davenport and Larry Prusak, John-Christopher Spender,
Robert Grant, Georg von Krogh, and others, we have seen an entire discipline emerge.
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at
www.emeraldinsight.com/0305-5728.htm
VINE
36,3
284
VINE: The journal of information and
knowledge management systems
Vol. 36 No. 3, 2006
pp. 284-288
qEmerald Group Publishing Limited
0305-5728
DOI 10.1108/03055720610703579
To continue reading
Request your trial