Knowledge agent theory and its autopoietic characteristics for authentic knowledge management

Abstract

Knowledge management is a relatively new academic discipline. Currently, the major studies are in the areas of knowledge transformation and taxonomy. Although many researchers stress that knowledge activists play an essential role in activating the knowledge process, the study of individual behaviour in organisations is neglected. In this paper, we conceptualise knowledge agent theory as a living system and explain its autopoietic characteristics. An empirical study of the organisations that supply stochastic demand products shows that their open work environment and free-thinking atmosphere enable knowledge agents to widen their self-referential and self-observing capacities, which encourages them to activate the knowledge process.