READIT - 2009 - Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research

Knowledge Management – An Organization’s
Perspective
R. Malathi, R. Parameswaran, K.K.Kuriakose, S. A. V. Satya Murty and P. Swaminathan
Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam, 603102
malathi@igcar.gov.in
ABSTRACT
Knowledge is derived from thinking and is a combination of information, experiences, and insight.
Deriving knowledge from information requires human judgment and is based on context and experiences.
Knowledge categories – tacit and explicit - can be found in different forms. While explicit knowledge can
be found in articulated and documented forms, tacit knowledge, which is personal and specific to a social,
organizational or interpersonal context does not always acquire physical form and can be found in
people’s actions and interpersonal communications. Much of the tacit knowledge – a greater component of
organizational knowledge – is found in social interactions (3).
It should be understood that the primary focus of KM is to utilize information technology and
tools, business process, best practices and culture to develop and share knowledge within an organization
and to connect those who possess knowledge to those who need the knowledge. Ultimately, leveraging
knowledge assets to improve organizational performance is what Knowledge Management is all about (3).
This paper presents the concept of Knowledge Management in the context of Organizational
learning. It also discusses the conceptual frame work of Knowledge Management in a Research and
Development Organization.
Key words: Knowledge, Knowledge Management, Organizational Performance
1. INTRODUCTION
Knowledge is considered as a key economic resource, and obviously,
organizations must process the right knowledge in the desired form and context under all
circumstances in order to be successful. Specifically, knowledge creation and resultant
knowledge sharing are critical in order for organizations to gain competitiveness and to
remain competitive. Knowledge is considered important for sustaining competitive
advantage.
The continuous progression of civilization is a testimony to its ability to develop,
learn and share Knowledge. Recent advances in information and communication
technologies have made it easy to develop, store and transfer knowledge. Globalization,
increasing international competition and a free market philosophy are driving forces for
these advances in technology and many organizations have realized that the creation,
transfer and management of knowledge are critical for success today (3).
IGCAR being a frontline R & D organization working in various advanced and
challenging areas has fully realized the importance of Knowledge Management and has
taken many steps to use KM to improve the performance. In this paper IGCAR’s
activities in the Knowledge Management domain and a prototype KM implementation at
Computer Division is presented.
2. WHAT IS KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT?
Knowledge Management is the process of capturing a company’s collective
expertise wherever it resides - in databases, on paper or in peoples’ heads - and
distributing it to wherever it can help produce the biggest pay off ( Hibbard ).