David J. Pauleen (2004)
Knowledge Management: A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing
Knowledge Management: A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing
Summary: 260 words
This article is a critique on another article written by Professor G.E. Gorman in the April column of Viewpoint in 2004. The author, Pauleen, criticises Professor Gorman for dismissing Knowledge Management (KM) by stating that KM is “a sheep in wolf’s clothing” and that it is no more an information management system, than library and information science is a card catalogue. Pauleen then explains and analyses the importance of KM and how KM contributes to the success of an organisation. He uses a quote from Larry Prusak – a guru in KM, to explain the difference between information and knowledge where information is considered two-dimensional, and knowledge is three dimensional. In other words, knowledge is how people perceive a piece of information. Different people may perceive the same piece of information differently depending on their background.
Knowledge is often absorbed in the workplace where the employees can observe and listen to experienced information professionals, which they may not learn from the textbooks. KM creates an environment that motivates people to share with others, which is a challenge for most organisations. The key component is to build trust that allows people to feel comfortable sharing knowledge, knowing that they will not be taken advantage as a result of this. In addition, organisations must be willing to give employees the space and time “to think, to explore, to research, and maybe even to sleep on it, as well as the spaces to meet, talk and create with others”, and Snowden (2003) emphasises that real knowledge sharing takes place in a shared social context.
This article is a critique on another article written by Professor G.E. Gorman in the April column of Viewpoint in 2004. The author, Pauleen, criticises Professor Gorman for dismissing Knowledge Management (KM) by stating that KM is “a sheep in wolf’s clothing” and that it is no more an information management system, than library and information science is a card catalogue. Pauleen then explains and analyses the importance of KM and how KM contributes to the success of an organisation. He uses a quote from Larry Prusak – a guru in KM, to explain the difference between information and knowledge where information is considered two-dimensional, and knowledge is three dimensional. In other words, knowledge is how people perceive a piece of information. Different people may perceive the same piece of information differently depending on their background.
Knowledge is often absorbed in the workplace where the employees can observe and listen to experienced information professionals, which they may not learn from the textbooks. KM creates an environment that motivates people to share with others, which is a challenge for most organisations. The key component is to build trust that allows people to feel comfortable sharing knowledge, knowing that they will not be taken advantage as a result of this. In addition, organisations must be willing to give employees the space and time “to think, to explore, to research, and maybe even to sleep on it, as well as the spaces to meet, talk and create with others”, and Snowden (2003) emphasises that real knowledge sharing takes place in a shared social context.
Review: 49 words
This article is very straightforward and easy to understand. Knowledge Management seems to be broader than what others often think. On the other hand, some people tend to keep their knowledge to themselves, in order to feel more important and responsible – this eventually limits the scope of knowledge sharing.
This article is very straightforward and easy to understand. Knowledge Management seems to be broader than what others often think. On the other hand, some people tend to keep their knowledge to themselves, in order to feel more important and responsible – this eventually limits the scope of knowledge sharing.
By Anh Thu Le - Knowledge Regiment group
