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Knowledge Management:: The Benefits and Limitations of Computer Systems

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  • Walsham, Geoff

Abstract

Much organisational effort has been put into knowledge management initiatives in recent years, and information and communication technologies (ICTs) have been central to many of these initiatives. However, organisations have found that levering knowledge through ICTs is often hard to achieve. This paper addresses the question of why this is the case, and what we can learn of value to the future practice of knowledge management. The analysis in the paper is based on a human-centred view of knowledge, emphasising the deep tacit knowledge which underpins human thought and action, and the complex sense-reading and sense-giving processes which human beings carry out in communicating with each other and 'sharing' knowledge. The paper concludes that computer-based systems can be of benefit in knowledge-based activities, but only if we are careful in using such systems to support the development and communication of human meaning.

Suggested Citation

  • Walsham, Geoff, 2001. "Knowledge Management:: The Benefits and Limitations of Computer Systems," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 19(6), pages 599-608, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:eurman:v:19:y:2001:i:6:p:599-608
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Williams, Christopher & Du, Juana & Zhang, Hongzhong, 2020. "International orientation of Chinese internet SMEs: Direct and indirect effects of foreign and indigenous social networking site use," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 55(3).
    2. Schlegelmilch, Bodo B. & Chini, Tina Claudia, 2003. "Knowledge transfer between marketing functions in multinational companies: a conceptual model," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 12(2), pages 215-232, April.
    3. Pierre-Emmanuel Arduin & Michel Grundstein & Elsa Negre & Camille Rosenthal-Sabroux, 2013. "Formalizing an empirical model: a way to enhance the communication between users and designers," Post-Print hal-01499678, HAL.
    4. Nicholas M. Short & M. Jennifer Woodward-Greene & Michael D. Buser & Daniel P. Roberts, 2023. "Scalable Knowledge Management to Meet Global 21st Century Challenges in Agriculture," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-19, February.
    5. Simon French & David Rios Insua & Fabrizio Ruggeri, 2007. "e -Participation and Decision Analysis," Decision Analysis, INFORMS, vol. 4(4), pages 211-226, December.
    6. Kaufmann, A. & Lehner, P. & Todtling, F., 2003. "Effects of the Internet on the spatial structure of innovation networks," Information Economics and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 15(3), pages 402-424, September.
    7. Mike Bartholomaei, 2005. "To Know is to Be: Three Perspectives on the Codification of Knowledge," SPRU Working Paper Series 131, SPRU - Science Policy Research Unit, University of Sussex Business School.
    8. Mihai Vărzaru & Eric Jolivet, 2011. "Towards a Model of Designing an Organizational Structure in a Knowledge Based Society," The AMFITEATRU ECONOMIC journal, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 13(30), pages 620-631, June.
    9. Mohsin Bashir & Muhammad Waseem Bari & Syed Hassan Raza, 2018. "Dimensions of Social Capital and Innovation Capabilities of Firms The Performance of Information Technology as a Mediator," Global Social Sciences Review, Humanity Only, vol. 3(3), pages 175-192, September.
    10. Dragos Vieru & Pierre-Emmanuel Arduin, 2016. "Sharing Knowledge in a Shared Services Center Context: An Explanatory Case Study of the Dialectics of Formal and Informal Practices," Post-Print hal-01292702, HAL.
    11. Fahmi Ibrahim & Noor Maya Salleh, 2019. "Embedding Knowledge Management Theory in Learning and Teaching Approach," International Journal of Learning and Development, Macrothink Institute, vol. 9(1), pages 19-40, March.
    12. Chris Kimble, 2013. "Knowledge management, codification and tacit knowledge," Post-Print halshs-00826911, HAL.
    13. Wen-Bao Lin, 2013. "Research on knowledge sharing and interpersonal relationships: empirical study of family firms and non-family firms," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 47(1), pages 151-166, January.
    14. Venters, Will, 2010. "Knowledge management technology-in-practice: a social constructionist analysis of the introduction and use of knowledge management systems," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 29839, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    15. Chris Kimble, 2013. "What Cost Knowledge Management? The Example of Infosys," Post-Print halshs-00826906, HAL.
    16. Ferguson, Julie & Huysman, Marleen & Soekijad, Maura, 2010. "Knowledge Management in Practice: Pitfalls and Potentials for Development," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 38(12), pages 1797-1810, December.
    17. Danming Lin & Qiang Liang & Zongling Xu & Runtian Li & Weimin Xie, 2008. "Does knowledge management matter for information technology applications in China?," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 25(3), pages 489-507, September.
    18. Alistair Mutch, 2010. "Technology, Organization, and Structure---A Morphogenetic Approach," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 21(2), pages 507-520, April.

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