Knowledge Management Flashcards

What is the purpose of a 'knowledge repository' or knowledge base?

Answer: To serve as a centralized, searchable collection of documented knowledge, best practices, and expertise

A knowledge repository is a curated, searchable system where explicit organizational knowledge—procedures, case studies, FAQs, expertise directories—is stored and made accessible.

In knowledge management, what is 'knowledge transfer'?

Answer: The process of sharing or disseminating knowledge from one individual, team, or system to another

Knowledge transfer is the deliberate process of helping knowledge move from where it exists (a person or document) to where it is needed (another person, team, or system).

What does 'intellectual capital' encompass in the context of knowledge management?

Answer: The combined intangible assets including human capital, structural capital, and relational capital that create organizational value

Intellectual capital is the total of intangible assets—employee expertise (human capital), organizational processes (structural capital), and stakeholder relationships (relational capital).

What role does an 'expert directory' (also called a 'yellow pages') play in knowledge management?

Answer: It helps employees find internal subject matter experts who can provide knowledge or assistance

An expert directory maps people to their areas of expertise, enabling employees to quickly connect with internal knowledge holders rather than reinventing the wheel.

What is 'organizational memory' in knowledge management?

Answer: The accumulated knowledge, experience, and information stored in organizational systems, culture, processes, and individuals

Organizational memory is everything an organization 'knows'—stored in documents, databases, procedures, and in employees' minds—that can be recalled and applied to current problems.

Which KM strategy focuses on codifying knowledge into documents and databases for broad reuse?

Answer: Codification strategy

The codification strategy (as defined by Hansen, Nohria, and Tierney) focuses on capturing knowledge in databases, manuals, and documents for efficient reuse across the organization.