The Knowledge Management Education Hub

Abstract: Developing transparency about and insight into a subject or community helps making better decisions. Sun Tzu formulated it slightly differently, but it was, and still is, critical.

Learning about the global community of Knowledge Managers usually starts by asking questions. A long list is repelling for respondents, a short one is trivial. 26 questions are a start and revealed many interesting and some disturbing insights. Some will need further investigation. 42 figures present the data as well as some more integrated perspectives.

As usual, the ones who do the reflecting – all those who contributed – learn the most. Others might confirm some of their positions, and some will hopefully have an accelerated start into the exciting field of Knowledge Management (KM) and the many different approaches of Knowledge Managers (KMers).

We hope to provide some essential data on the state of Knowledge Management as well as to attract many more participants to our survey in our ambition to improve transparency of KM.

Contents

1. Summary

Networks of knowledge management
Summary and key findings
Recommendations to improve KM implementation
Profile of the typical knowledge manager

2. Demography

Knowledge Management is global
Timeline of first contact to KM
Basics on demography: seniority, age and gender
Distribution of age, gender and seniority among respondents
Distribution of industries among respondents
Industry and size of organizations matters for KM
Formal education by gender 20
Focus of education
Timelines of KM shows growth in selected countries
KM is gender neutral
Distribution among disciplines and degrees of kmers by gender
Job titles of KMers
KM hierarchies: to whom KMers report to

3. KM Role and Activities

Balanced allocation of time to KM activities
KMers are pioneers and innovators
KM related degrees
Maturity of KMers
Formal degrees of KMers
Domains of activitiy by KMers
Understanding of KM strategic positioning
Preferences of KM by country
KM is communication
Understanding of km strategic positioning by seniority
Time spent on activities relevant to knowledge management

4. Learning Perspective

Sources for KMers
Time investment for learning and upgrading KM skills
Upgrading KM skills by country and gender
Learning behaviour
External risks and new chances
Pioneers and opportunities for expansion
KM as a missed opportunity to grow?
Ressources and services in demand by KMers

5. Method

Data collection
Self assessment of the quality of inputs by respondents
High quality of inputs
Data cleaning

Authors

Manfred Bornemann is founder and CEO of Intangible Assets Consulting. Kristina Mirchuk is founder and CEO of Geist Consultancy. Both are members of the bord of the Gesellschaft für Wissensmanagement e. V. (GfWM) and active members of the Knowledge Management Global Network (KMGN).

Full text from publisher »
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Manfred Bornemann; Kristina Mirchuk: BLUE BOOK on Knowledge Management 2023. Graz, Éibar: Intangible Assets Consulting GmbH & GEIST Consultancy, February 2023.

(CC) BY-SA Manfred Bornemann; Kristina Mirchuk. The inspiration came from discussions in the context of GfWM and KMGN, but these networks are not liable in any case.

Related Resources:

• Robert Freund: Profile of the typical knowledge manager. Dr. Robert Freund Blog, 20 April 2023 Full text »
• Kristina Mirchuk, Manfred Bornemann et al: Q&A to the Blue Book on Knowledge Management. KMGN Zoom Webinar, Mar 10, 2023. Linkedin event page » | Online Whiteboard » (Results)
  • Short Presentation w. Questions & Answers
  • Working Groups: Competencies related to Knowledge Management; Joint Activities: Projects to Grow Knowledge Management; Knowledge Management in Organizations: Strategies and Hierarchies
• KMGN: State of Knowledge Management – 2023. Knowledge Management Global Network (KMGN), February 2023. Full text » (Alternative full text »)
• KMGN: Survey on the state of Knowledge Management Professionals. Knowledge Management Global Network (KMGN), December 2022. Participate » (2023 Results Table »)
• Manfred Bornemann: BLUE BOOK on KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT 2023. GfWM WeBlog, 23. Februar 2023. Read more »
• Manfred Bornemann: Umfrage zum Status von Wissensmanagement-Professionals. GfWM WeBlog, 2. Dezember 2022. Read more »
• Molly Chaudhuri et al.: Knowledge Management: Trends, Careers, & Jobs. Bangalore K-Community Zoom Meetup, November 16, 2022. Agenda »

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