Posted by Vaughn P Fox on October 31, 1999 at 16:35:56:

In Reply to: Knowledge Management for the New World of Business posted by Yogesh Malhotra on October 31, 1999 at 15:29:29:

Yogesh Malhotra,
Is it information that people use to gain knowledge they need to achieve understanding? If so, does KM manage knowledge...or does KM really manage information provided in a form that promotes knowledge needed to achieve understanding that is linked to key decisions? I understand your definition of IM and KM, but I do not necessarily agree. I realize you are very knowledgeable and much more experienced on this issue/subject than I am, but I believe the meaning of the two terms (KM and IM) have evolved to mean one and the same to many people.
Look at business and the military. Profit margins in the business world and human lives in the military are what senior leaders in both communities are primarily concerned with. Decisions that managers and leaders make influence current and future success or failure within the corporation or military command. KM and IM are two terms that are used in the business world and by the military to ensure decisionmakers have information provided to them in a form that promotes the knowledge they need to achieve the level of understanding they require before and after they make sound, timely decisions.
If I were a CKO, supporting KM initiatives and using your thoughts concerning KM, I would need to recognize what information was needed to promote knowledge. In essence, I would be managing information used to support KM…so would I be performing IM or KM? If IM and KM are both used to support decisionmaking, why all the fuss w/ two terms? Don't get me wrong…terminology is extremely powerful, but as long as people understand that information must be managed effectively to produce knowledge needed to achieve understanding…and understanding, even in the face of uncertainty is what most decisionmakers strive to achieve before and after they make sound decisions…who cares if we call it IM or KM??
One last thought…when I perform IM functions, it is imperative for me to recognize organizational structure/design, command relationships and information needs of the users before any solutions are determined/developed. The same action is supported when I perform KM. So am I only performing IM or KM…or both??
I think Mr Atkinson is on to something. Thanks for listening. R/S, Vaughn Fox.

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Follow Ups:

• Re: Knowledge Management for the New World of Business Yogesh Malhotra 21:11:36 10/31/99 (0)
• Decision making & KM Denham 17:09:15 10/31/99 (8)
  • Re: Decision making & KM Daan de Koning 08:25:16 11/07/99 (0)
  • Re: Decision making & KM Vaughn P Fox 20:47:43 10/31/99 (6)
    • KM beyond decision making Denham 22:08:43 10/31/99 (5)
      • Still, why? Reilly Atkinson 16:11:56 11/01/99 (4)
        • Re: Still, why? Mezei 19:01:21 11/02/99 (0)
        • Re: Still, why? Because of top quarks of course! Kees de Vos 20:11:10 11/01/99 (0)
        • Re: Still, why? Denham 17:12:20 11/01/99 (1)
          • Re: Still, why? Ron de Weijze 19:30:02 11/11/99 (0)

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