IT for KM in the management consulting industry

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of the paper is to examine the underlying components of information technology (IT) that support different models of knowledge management (KM). Design/methodology/approach This empirical study is conducted in the management consulting industry to examine the important link between IT and KM. Based on previous research, four knowledge models were developed for the management consulting industry based on the knowledge type and service type. Data collected through a survey from 115 management consulting firms in the USA and Canada were analyzed. Findings Regardless of the type of KM model utilized, the most widely used IT by management consulting firms was the internet‐related technology (e‐mail, internet, and search engine). The second important IT component was data management technology (document management, data warehousing, data mining, knowledge repositories, and database management). The third important IT was collaborating technology (videoconferencing, workflow management, groupware, group decision support systems, and knowledge maps). The least important IT was artificial intelligence (expert systems, case‐based reasoning systems, intelligent agent, and neural network). Originality/value This paper develops a new topology of KM models based on the knowledge type (exploitive and explorative) and service type (standardized and customized). Thus, four KM models are developed: reuser (exploitive/standardized); stabilizer (exploitive/customized); explorer (explorative/standardized); and innovator (explorative/customized). While IT has been widely accepted as an enabler for KM, its application for a different focus of KM has not been explored.

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