Societal KM 2004/ 1 Copyright © 2004 Knowledge Research Institute, Inc. Societal Knowledge Management in the Globalized Economy 2004 Karl M. Wiig Knowledge Research Institute, Inc. Arlington, TX phone: (817) fax: (817) –– website:

Societal KM 2004/ 2 Copyright © 2004 Knowledge Research Institute, Inc. Societal Knowledge Management (SKM) is based on idealized visions and models. In particular: Idealized Models of KM Idealized Models of Society – The Balanced Society – Setting the Stage

Societal KM 2004/ 3 Copyright © 2004 Knowledge Research Institute, Inc.  Globalization Pressures  Societal KM Premises  The Balanced Society  Aspects of Societal KM  What Are the Options? Our Journey

Societal KM 2004/ 4 Copyright © 2004 Knowledge Research Institute, Inc. Globalization Relies on SKM

Societal KM 2004/ 5 Copyright © 2004 Knowledge Research Institute, Inc. Work Becomes More Complex

Societal KM 2004/ 6 Copyright © 2004 Knowledge Research Institute, Inc. Societal KM Premises 1.Society behavior results from millions of ACTIONS that ideally are EFFECTIVE 2.A successful society BEHAVES to support its objectives 3.A successful society is BALANCED 4.Effective actions are both KNOWLEDGEABLE and INFORMED

Societal KM 2004/ 7 Copyright © 2004 Knowledge Research Institute, Inc. Small Actions Lead to Broad Behavior Legislature, Courts & Executive Branches Commerce & Industry Individual People Local & Regional Public Services

Societal KM 2004/ 8 Copyright © 2004 Knowledge Research Institute, Inc. The Balanced Society BalancedSociety ECONOMY  R&D and Industrial Activities  Personal Wealth and Livelihood  Domestic and International Commerce  Global Competitiveness QUALITY of LIFE  Personal Welfare  Health Care  Social Services  Education  Security GOVERNANCE  Elected Legislature  Executive Government  Impartial Justice System  International Relations  Defense / Public Order  Fiscal Governance  Infrastructure CULTURE  Ethics and Social Values  Religious Freedom  Civil Behaviors and Respect for the Individual  Arts and Leisure

KM: Put It Together ’99/ 9 Governance Is Knowledge-Related Copyright © 2004 Knowledge Research Institute, Inc.

Societal KM 2004/ 10 Copyright © 2004 Knowledge Research Institute, Inc. Societal KM Seeks to: 1.Make the target society more effective as a world citizen and global competitor 2.Support continued pursuit of a balanced society 3.Increase effectiveness of constituents to improve their quality of life,

Societal KM 2004/ 11 Copyright © 2004 Knowledge Research Institute, Inc. 1.Strengthen societal functions and effectiveness towards implementing societal goals – e.g., public service agencies, law enforcement, etc. 2.Provide infrastructure and general knowledge-related capabilities to make industry and commerce globally competitive 3.Increase citizens’ capabilities to improve their lives, build knowledgeable workforce, and participate in societal functions Operational Objectives of Societal KM

Societal KM 2004/ 12 Copyright © 2004 Knowledge Research Institute, Inc. Examples of Societal Knowledge Flows

Societal KM 2004/ 13 Copyright © 2004 Knowledge Research Institute, Inc. Five KM Perspectives

Societal KM 2004/ 14 Copyright © 2004 Knowledge Research Institute, Inc. Culture and Behavior Depends upon People’s Perspectives Changing People’s Perspectives By Building Broad Knowledge

Societal KM 2004/ 15 Copyright © 2004 Knowledge Research Institute, Inc. From Sensemaking to Effective Actions

Societal KM 2004/ 16 Copyright © 2004 Knowledge Research Institute, Inc. Most Decisions Are Nonconscious and Result from Activating Mental Reference Models!

Societal KM 2004/ 17 Copyright © 2004 Knowledge Research Institute, Inc. What Are Options? Nations that wish to succeed and thrive have little choice beyond pursuing SKM proactively and deliberately

Societal KM 2004/ 18 Copyright © 2004 Knowledge Research Institute, Inc. Societal KM Counts! Progress and viability are driven by human capital Most studies have been inconclusive... However, long-term effects of improved knowledge indicate:  1 % literacy score increase leads to  2.5 % personal productivity increase  1.5 % increase in GDP Source: International Adult Literacy Survey: Literacy scores, human capital and growth across fourteen OECD countries Serge Coulombe, Jean-François Tremblay, and Sylvie Marchand - Statistics Canada - Human Resources and Skills Development

Societal KM 2004/ 19 Copyright © 2004 Knowledge Research Institute, Inc.  Personal : Improved earnings potentials More effective personal decision making Raised quality of life  Industrial : Greater competitive effectiveness Better products and services Benefits for customers and consumers  Societal : More capable work force Increased participation by knowledgeable citizenry Improved social and economic environments More desirable society Societal KM Seeks to Provide

Societal KM 2004/ 20 Copyright © 2004 Knowledge Research Institute, Inc. One Nation’s Societal KM Targets

Societal KM 2004/ 21 Copyright © 2004 Knowledge Research Institute, Inc. 1.Foster development of extensive personal mental reference model “libraries” of work-specific and broad world knowledge 2.Widespread capabilities of critical and complex thinking in all parts of society Make People Capable

Societal KM 2004/ 22 Copyright © 2004 Knowledge Research Institute, Inc. 1.Promote a balanced society by providing targeted societal knowledge assets (IC) for knowledgeable governance, IC- building infrastructure, etc. 2.Foster a globally competitive society by integrating focused SKM plans and priorities into all governmental functions Make the Nation Capable

Societal KM 2004/ 23 Copyright © 2004 Knowledge Research Institute, Inc.  The Early Focus: Strengthen Operations by Improving Knowledge and Its Availability with IT and LO  The Emerging Focus: Make the Enterprise More Competitive from Strategic Perspectives by Creating and Utilizing Knowledge and Personal Understanding “To Survive and Prosper You Need to Innovate Faster Than Your Competitors – It is Not Enough to Learn Faster!” KM’s Role Is Changing

Societal KM 2004/ 24 Copyright © 2004 Knowledge Research Institute, Inc. KM Scope Shifts to Wider Focus Qualitative Estimates Relative Frequency Knowledge Scope

Societal KM 2004/ 25 Copyright © 2004 Knowledge Research Institute, Inc. Every Society Is Different. Only Broad Knowledge and Deep Understanding Can Provide the Innovation and Adaptations Needed to Make the Society Successful! Societal KM Is the Innovation Enabler by Providing the Driving Intellectual Capital Resources! Societal KM and Innovation Are Key