What is Knowledge Management(KM)? The field of KM exists to allow organizations to more fully utilize the knowledge they possess. Knowledge is a “justified true belief” Information yields knowledge Knowledge must go from individuals in an organization to social groups, teams, and networks. With KM, organizations seek to acquire or create useful knowledge, and make it available to positively influence the performance of individuals and the organization as a whole. KM involves the acquisition, creation, refinement, storage, transfer, sharing and utilization of knowledge. Organizational Learning is the goal of KM Examples: new written policies, prescribed machine settings, quality controls, and best practices for dealing with circumstances frequently encountered. Allows individuals with more experience to share their knowledge with those with less.

Tacit Knowledge Can be articulated into formal language Explicit Knowledge Personal knowledge embedded in individual experience and involves intangible factors, such as personal beliefs, perspective, and the value system. It is difficult to formalize and articulate. Knowledge that can be articulated into formal language, including grammatical statements (words and numbers), mathematical expressions, specifications, manuals, etc. It can be codified and readily transmitted to others. Also, it can be processed by a computer, transmitted electronically, or stored in databases. Technical Dimension - encompasses the kind of informal skills often captured in the term “know-how.” Cognitive Dimension – beliefs, perceptions, ideals, values, emotions and mental models so ingrained in us that we take them for granted. Explicit Knowledge must be converted to Tacit Knowledge for cognitive skills to develop.

Spiral Model of Knowledge Creation- Continual Dialogue Between Tacit and Explicit Knowledge Individuals - hold tacit knowledge (TK) they have acquired through hands-on experience.. They are the heart of the creating process. TK is amplified through dynamic interactions between four modes (in lime green boxes)of knowledge conversion. Collective Group Level Organizational Level Inter-organizational Level Externalization- Tacit to Explicit Externalization- Tacit to Explicit Combination- Explicit to Explicit Combination- Explicit to Explicit Socialization- Tacit to Tacit Socialization- Tacit to Tacit Internalization- Explicit to Tacit Internalization- Explicit to Tacit Knowledge is often passed on through metaphor