Question

Provide an overview of the history of knowledge management and identify key milestones.

Answer 1

Answer:

Knowledge management (KM) is the process of creating, sharing, using and managing the knowledge and information of an organisation. It refers to a multidisciplinary approach to achieving organisational objectives by making the best use of knowledge.

An established discipline since 1991[citation needed], KM includes courses taught in the fields of business administration, information systems, management, library, and information sciences. Other fields may contribute to KM research, including information and media, computer science, public health and public policy. Several universities offer dedicated master's degrees in knowledge management.

Many large companies, public institutions and non-profit organisations have resources dedicated to internal KM efforts, often as a part of their business strategy, IT, or human resource management departments. Several consulting companies provide advice regarding KM to these organisations.

Knowledge management efforts typically focus on organisational objectives such as improved performance, competitive advantage, innovation, the sharing of lessons learned, integration and continuous improvement of the organisation. These efforts overlap with organisational learning and may be distinguished from that by a greater focus on the management of knowledge as a strategic asset and on encouraging the sharing of knowledge. KM is an enabler of organisational learning.

Answer 2

Some of the features of the history of knowledge management are listed below:

• Knowledge management was started to evolve over decades.
• Peter Drucker was the one who has started the management in the 1980s.
• Knowledge was considered an important asset from the early days itself.

Some of the milestones in the knowledge management system are depicted below:

Before Knowledge Management

• A stone-age person who explains to others how to hunt is considered to be sharing knowledge at that time

Awakening and Emergence

• At this time the knowledge system gained attention in the management process

• Various books were written during this time.

Bandwagon and Relabeling

• Knowledge management was promoted strategically.
• IT companies got evoluted by that time.

Growth, Segmentation, and Consolidation

• Risk, marketing, innovation, and quality were maintained during this phase.
• Several masters courses at university was introduced

Re-evaluation and Redefinition

• Knowledge management on the basis of innovation, e-commerce, and customer relationship management.

In Search of New Identity

• Information Technology enabled solutions to become more common.
• Knowledge management projects tend to have a more business focus.

Knowledge management is well established now. It is well-practiced in organizations