IDEAL DIMENSIONS OF KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ? A THEORETICAL REVIEW

In order to keep the organizational strategies and objectives aligned, this paper proposes that knowledge management (KM) should be grouped into five dimensions, Knowledge management process; knowledge management system; knowledge management structure; knowledge management strategy; knowledge management assets. It is observed that a better understanding of compatibility between KM and process re-engineering and restructuring is needed to aid the reduction of existing tensions and to facilitate the advancement of the application of KM best practice. Many knowledge management activities, methods, or modules have been discussed within the literature suggest an integrated knowledge management framework that comprises the following activities: initiation, generation, modeling, repository, distribution and transfer, use and retrospect, while, differentiating between specifying a requirement, capturing, distributing, and using knowledge. The dimension “Knowledge management process” is a necessary precondition for the core processes of knowledge identification and knowledge use. With respect to the dimension “knowledge management system”, in order to be sure that knowledge is most frequently used, technology must be accompanied by a knowledge-compatible culture. As regards to dimension “knowledge management structure”, achieving a “knowledge culture” requires managerial focus in three areas: preparing the organization, managing knowledge assets, and leveraging knowledge for competitive advantage. In the context of the dimension, “knowledge management strategy”, the process of knowledge generation and development not only requires organizations to alter their cognitive frameworks, but also forces organizational members to view reality in new perspectives. In order to manage the dimension, “knowledge management assets” information technology is creating the basics of new kinds of business assets (speed, agility, reach, and insight). These new assets created by information technology are certainly going to help and assist knowledge management function of an organization to a greater extent.