A review of the main approaches to knowledge management

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to order and connect different perspectives on the creation and management of knowledge. Several proposals for the classification of the main approaches to knowledge management are considered and their connections and differences discussed. Three main groups emerge: measuring knowledge, managing knowledge (either with greater emphasis on the human factor or on information technologies) and creating knowledge. After selecting and analysing selection of the most relevant studies in this area, these concepts can be arranged into a continuum from a more descriptive perspective to a more normative one. The main contribution of this study is the compilation of literature on knowledge management and creation, along with the analysis of our own proposal for the classification of different approaches, depending on their more descriptive or more normative perspective. © 2008 Operational Research Society Ltd. All rights reserved.