Knowledge management (KM) is a discipline that emerged in the late 20th century as a response to the ever-growing need for organizations to manage their knowledge assets. This discipline focuses on the identification, creation, sharing, and use of knowledge within organizations to achieve their goals.
The origins of KM can be traced back to the early 20th century when organizations started to recognize the importance of capturing and disseminating knowledge. However, it was not until the 1990s that KM gained momentum as a distinct field of study.
At its inception, KM was primarily concerned with managing explicit knowledge – knowledge that is codified and can be easily shared. This included things like procedures, manuals, and databases. However, as the field evolved, KM began to incorporate a broader range of knowledge types, including tacit knowledge – knowledge that is often difficult to articulate, such as skills, expertise, and intuition.
Today, KM plays a crucial role in helping organizations manage their knowledge assets in an ever-changing business landscape. KM practices can help organizations reduce duplication of effort, improve decision-making, and facilitate innovation. With the rise of big data and the internet of things, the need for effective KM is more critical than ever, and the field continues to evolve to meet the challenges of the digital age.
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