Home > Bookshelf > Strategy

Title:

Knowledge Management: An Integrative Approach

Review:

This new title on knowledge management is intended to bring together different perspectives on the topic for the benefit of students, individuals and organisations wanting to discover the benefits and limitations of KM. The book also aims to help managers develop KM solutions.
It opens by examining different theories of what KM is. Later chapters progress logically through the business case for KM, the role of organisational culture and technology, processes for manipulating knowledge, including its creation and transfer, knowledge as a personal and organisational asset. It concludes with a review of the benefits and limitations of KM.

While there are ever-increasing numbers of books, journals and courses on KM claiming a pivotal role for it in business survival, we have no single, widely accepted definition of what KM is. The authors simplify the various theories by identifying three main schools of thought: the process- and technology-driven approach; the economic approach; and wider behavioural learning organisation approach. By setting out these three areas, the authors successfully set a context for the remainder of the book.

The main focus of the book is a discussion of various KM theories, supplemented with a number of short case studies scattered throughout each chapter to illustrate points in a more practical way. The case studies are one of the most interesting aspects, but might have been more usefully gathered together into an appendix, as there isn't a list of them. Some of the tables refer to case studies simply by name as illustrating a particular approach to KM, but it is difficult to then locate the case studies quickly as some, but not all, are listed in the index. The index itself is too short at only two pages.

Good clear explanations are provided the first time a technical term is used, and extensive references at the end of each chapter make the book very readable and a good starting point to pursue further reading on different theories and strategies. A glossary would have been a useful addition. The chapter on the role of technology in KM is very good and balanced, as too many people assume KM is all about technology. The final chapter offers an interesting examination of the tensions between protecting a company or individual's intellectual property, and making knowledge available to generate further ideas. Tables and case studies are excellent but a few screen shots and more detailed examples of concepts, such as visualisation tools, would be even better.

Despite the focus on theories discussed throughout the book, "Knowledge Management" also offers practical suggestions, such as how to develop successful knowledge repositories. It will probably be of greatest interest to students or anyone new to KM looking for a broad overview of different approaches, rather than anyone looking for practical tips and ideas, although such an audience may find the price (at GBP57) quite high. The end of chapter reference lists offer a good starting point for further reading and ideas for future research.

Free Pint Reviewer:

Mandy Webster is the Library & Information Services Manager at Browne Jacobson Solicitors with a particular interest in KM, management systems and user education. She is the author of several journal articles and chapters of books on KM and legal information management. She writes for FreePint in a personal capacity.

Related Free Pint Links:

• Related Internet strategy book reviews on the Free Pint Bookshelf