KNOWLEDGE CREATION

Knowledge creation is the process of coming up with a new fact, truth, or belief. This can be brought about by the desire to solve an existing problem, or to improve or better an existing product, process or system.

Knowledge creation occurs in diverse spheres. Research can give a new perspective to an existing phenomenon. It can also refute an existing fact. Experiment is yet another way by which knowledge is definitely created. Knowledge can also be created by accident! An idea hits you from the blues, and ends up being a brilliant fact. Combination of existing knowledge is yet another way knowledge is created. Interaction and socialization is a fertile ground for knowledge creation.

Knowledge creation is made manifest in number of ways. New product is evidence of knowledge creation.  A problem might have existed and ways to solve the problem were explored. These ways in their formative stages were just ideas or data that were synthesized and contextualized, to become information. The information was refined, and put into test.  Models or prototypes developed tested and retested, till they reached the acceptable standards. Products are embodiment of knowledge. This explanation can also be adopted for new process or systems.

KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

Knowledge management essentially involves knowledge needs assessments, identification of knowledge sources, knowledge creation, acquisition, organization and storage, knowledge dissemination, transfer, sharing or diffusion. These activities however will be determined by the organizational environment.  Organizations differ depending on the nature of their operations. How knowledge is managed in organization A would be different on how it is managed in organization B.

Before I delve into what I understand knowledge management system is, I would like to first define what a system is. A system is a group of interacting, interrelated, or interdependent elements forming a complex whole. A system comprises a number of essentials that together make a complete form. As already stated knowledge management encompasses a number of elements which include: knowledge needs assessments, identification of knowledge sources, knowledge creation, acquisition, organization and storage, knowledge dissemination, transfer, sharing or diffusion. These elements collectively give us a knowledge management system. These elements help an organization to manage its knowledge.

Knowledge management system could therefore be said to be those activities that collectively enables an organization effectively and efficiently manage its knowledge. However, from a technological point of view knowledge management systems are taken to refer to information systems used in managing knowledge in organizations. Taken this way knowledge management systems could be said to be information communication technologies that assist in carrying the core activities of knowledge management which can be summed up thus: knowledge creation, storage, retrieval, transfer and application.

Let’s take the example of a library environment. Basic the library acquires explicit knowledge in either print or non-print form, classifies, catalogs, and issues. These activities can be done either manually or electronically. There are library systems that have been developed that can be used to do all these activities. These systems can consequently be referred to as library knowledge management systems.