Knowledge in Organisations

Abstract

This chapter clarifies the relationship between information, knowledge and competitiveness by introducing the model of the «knowledge ladder». Based on the knowledge ladder, the terms fields of action and the maturity model of KM are explained. The reader will learn about the conversion of tacit and explicit knowledge according to the SECI-Model while a case study demonstrates the power of story-telling. The issue of structuring and valuing knowledge as part of intangible assets of an organisation is also addressed and a knowledge-based theory of the firm is introduced. The KM tool described at the end of the chapter is the «idea competition».