Knowledge management in practice: Context, interventions and outcomes

Abstract

In this paper we try to analyse the current and historical application of Knowledge Management in the Portuguese Economy, particularly since the democratic revolution of 1974. We base our analysis in theories about the impacts of knowledge in countries at a micro and a macro scale. We use a three levels model related to context (namely 1) Historical background; 2) basic economic and social data: 3) broad vocational education and training (VET) systems; 4) institutional actors; 5) political context), intervention (namely 1) basic legislative documents, 2) guidelines on eligibility, 3) programs, 4) evaluation procedures) and outcomes (namely 1) stocks, investment, and outcomes; 2) price, quantity, supply, demand, equilibria; 3) needs). We base ourselves in statistical published data and other published documents. We conclude that the context changed for the better, because after 1974 the country rulers installed a regime in which knowledge was not seen like a luxury but as a basic need (see 4.1); the change in context was also helped by the adhesion to the EU, which in turn led to massive interventions supported by funds like the ESF and the Regional fund(see 4.2); as a result outcomes are finally seen, as the increase in supply and demand of knowledge and also in the income and employability of the Portuguese attests (see 4.3). These findings are important but should be complemented by a more detailed analysis, with a larger group of researchers - at best this paper would generate a book, detailing the context, intervention and impact of KM in Portugal.