Preface for the Third Edition - Read

11. Research Design 451
The research program consists of the four phases which are depicted in
Figure C-2 and which have been described in detail in part A. The central activity
of the second phase was the empirical study “Knowledge management systems
1999” which is reported here. The study was complemented by a number of knowledge
management projects. Additionally, a market study on KMS and generally on
ICT supporting KM was performed. These empirical and practical activities as well
as numerous discussions in an interdisciplinary work group at the University of
Regensburg and a knowledge community (AG Wissensmanagement) 8 influenced
the qualitative interpretations that will be given in addition to the quantitative
results obtained in the empirical study. The results will also be compared to results
of other empirical studies 9 . Together, all these efforts provide the basis for an
intense analysis of the state of practice of the use of KMS in organizations 10 .
In the following, the focus will be on the empirical study 11 . Figure C-3 shows
the research model which also guides the presentation of the findings in the following
chapters.
Business 6
environment
Strategy
Concept of the application of
knowledge management systems
Organizational
design 2
Organizational
culture 3
Contents
Funding
FIGURE C-3. Research model of the empirical study
Knowledge management
systems
4
Organizational
results 8
The research model analyzes KMS supported knowledge management initiatives.
The shaded ellipse visualizes the concept of the application of KMS. The
concept comprises instruments applied to improve the handling of knowledge, the
contents (1). The contents consist of the knowledge of the members of the organi-
8. See also chapter 3 - “Procedure, Methods and Overview” on page 11.
9. For a characterization of these studies see chapter 10 - “Related Empirical Studies” on
page 439.
10. The state of practice is summarized in chapter 16 - “Summary and Critical Reflection”
on page 581.
11. The operational work of the empirical study was a joint effort with Oliver Klosa who
used a portion of the data of the study in his work that concentrated exclusively on the
two parts knowledge management systems and contents, Klosa 2001).
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