Knowledge flow elements within a context – a model

Abstract

Blackburn, Khoza and Tate 2003;Snowden 2003) from all over the world are in agreement that knowledge is currently one of the most valuable assets in an organization.Proper knowledge management initiatives can make a substantial contribution towards extracting maximum benefit from knowledge.One of the most significant aspects knowledge managers should keep in mind is how knowledge is shared and used, since knowledge is one of the few assets -if not the only one -of which the value increases with use (Bonaventura 1997:85; Probst, Raub and Romhardt 2000:vii).Borghoff and Pareschi (1998:7) stress that '[k]nowledge that doesn't flow doesn't grow and eventually ages and becomes obsolete and useless….By contrast, knowledge that flows, by being shared, acquired, and exchanged, generates new knowledge.'In other words, if the flow of knowledge is hindered or congested, it cannot contribute towards making informed decisions and executing sensible actions.As a consequence, it is of the essence to determine how knowledge flows in the organization for 'the flow of knowledge [is] the fundamental goal of knowledge management' (Borghoff and Pareschi 1998:8).McAdam and McCreedy (1999), Shin and Holden (2000) and Nissen (2002:251-266) are some of the authors who developed knowledge flow models to classify and visualize knowledge flow patterns.These models are of significant and practical value in their respective situations.However, an aspect absent from them is the representation of the knowledge flow elements within the context wherein knowledge exchanges transpire.It is the authors' belief that knowledge flow events cannot be separated from the context wherein they take place.A model was therefore developed to address this shortcoming.This article takes a closer look at what knowledge flow entails and introduces a model that visualizes all relevant and applicable basic elements present in knowledge flow. MethodologyInformation obtained from a literature review was analysed to distinguish the main concepts, approaches and theories applicable to knowledge flow.Existing knowledge flow models were carefully examined, compared and analysed in order to identify essential components in addition to shortcomings.The content analysis of the literature, combined with the analysis of the existing models, led to the development of a new model.The new model is an attempt to isolate the most basic elements involved in knowledge flow, the relationships between them as well as the impact they have on each other. Nature of knowledge flowTo have a better comprehension of knowledge flow an understanding of the characteristics of knowledge and knowledge flow, the elements of knowledge flow and types of knowledge flow is necessary. Characteristics of knowledge

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