Principles of Knowledge Management: Theory, Practice and Cases

Approaching the field of knowledge management (KM) from a management perspective rather than a technical point of view, the authors combine their backgrounds in information systems and organizational behavior to address the knowledge component as well as the management aspects of KM. Part I reviews current concepts of KM and the process by which KM is diffused in organizations. Part II addresses the structure, attributes, and processes of the knowledge-based enterprise, with particular focus on the design and implementation of knowledge-management systems (KMS) in the public and private sectors. Part III takes on the issue of measuring the outcomes of KMS, and discusses the KM audit in light of recent legislation. The book concludes with eight original cases illustrating successful and unsuccessful approaches used by companies in the travel industry, the health care sector, and telecommunications. Chapter objectives, key point summaries, and discussion questions are included. The text can be used for undergraduate and graduate courses in KM and KMS, and can be used as a resource by students in business administration, communications, economics, and management of information systems. The authors teach at the Illinois Institute of Technology. Annotation c2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)