Dr. B. D. Kumbar Professor Dept. of Library and Information Science Karnatak University, Dharwad - 3 1

 KM is a holistic approach, which addresses all aspects of creating and using knowledge.  KM approach is a part of ongoing development in thinking about management and organizations.  The concept knowledge management can be traced and in the writings of some notable management theorists like Peter Drucker, Paul Strass Man and Peter Senge. 2

 During 1980’s there was a steady growth of KM’s. these systems started using the concepts and research in the field of Artificial Intelligence and Expert systems.  The phrase “Knowledge Management" became an established one in dictionaries and lexicons and lot of literature started emerging in the field.  Knowledge Management was the most influential management philosophy, which became prominent during second half of 1990's. 3

 According to Herbert Saint Onge Knowledge Management is, "about the development of corporate capability which is essential if an organisation has to develop and lead its market rather than endlessly work to keep up with the demands.  He argues it is the integration of strategy, structure, systems culture". 4

 For K M there is no universally accepted definition.  Marc Auckland says "KM is a discipline that promotes an integrated approach to creation, captured, organisation and access and the use of an organisation's intellectual capital on customers, markets, products services and internal processes". 5

 Managing the balance between the people, processors and technology that determines the organisation and its relationship with its market is the baseline philosophy of knowledge management.  Creating an environment where knowledge is valued and where difference between information and knowledge etc. 6

 Connecting People with People.  Connecting People with Information.  Enabling conversion of information to knowledge.  Encouraging innovation and creating through the nurturing of a Knowledge environment. 7

 The role of middle management is changing, leading to flatter structure project-based on teamwork, and networked organisations providing individuals with a number of leaders and reporting lines.  The role of professionals is also at crossroads and the term. 8

 How for the world of work will continue to change and in what direction cannot be predicted, but what is certain is that change is happening with a great speed, which has never been experienced so fast in the past ICM environments, the visibility of library and information professionals and the utilisation of their skills have been low.  There are many reasons for this, but a number of key factors are explored some importance are: 9

 Barriers for entering into Knowledge Management Environment.  Peers perceptions.  Management perceptions about LIS professionals.  Perceptions and Expectations of LIS professionals.  Knowledge environments are clearly information centred, and provide unique opportunity for information professionals to become core part of their organization.  Integrating Information and Knowledge 10

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Information mapping is a process, which analyses the workflow and processors through:  Identifying the information needs of the organization.  Developing an understanding of where information is created.  Creating and information assets resource.  Drawing a map of information flow.  Establishing the need for information integration.  Assessing the effects of technical platform and organisational cultures on the use of information. 12

 Knowledge management need excellent Information Management.  Even though IM is not KM, knowledge is communicated through information and management of information creation, flow, storage and disseminate the information.  The skills that facilitates building of infrastructures the combinations of information architecture, content management, and Information Technology that enables individuals to access the right. 13

 Reliable information at the right time, prevents information overload and supports information delivery-are increasingly valued and sought by organizations.  It is for the librarianship and information profession to add value to knowledge based environment, it needs to develop arrangement of interpersonal and business skills in their staff and value itself as a core part of knowledge management systems. 14