Difference between revisions of "Knowledge"

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:''For the HR paradigm definition of Knowledge see [[Knowledge (HR)]]''
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==Definition==
 
==Definition==
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<i>Note1:</i> Knowledge is a combination of ‘knowing facts’ about and ‘knowing how’ to do something. It refers to a body of facts and principles accumulated by humankind over the course of time. It is distinct from information as knowledge is information that has a purpose or use. Data leads to information and information leads to knowledge. Knowledge confers a capacity for effective action.
  
== Summary ==
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<i>Note2:</i> The draft version of ISO 9001E 2014 defines knowledge as available collection of information (3.50) being a justified belief and having a high certainty to be true.
Knowledge is is a combination of [[Know-what|"knowing facts"]] and also [[Know-how|"knowing how”]] to do something and is acquired from a mix of experiences, values, contextual [[Information|information]].
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Knowledge has several dimensions: types ([[Explicit knowledge|explicit]], [[Implicit knowledge|implicit]], [[Tacit knowledge|tacit]]), levels ([[Know-why|know-why]], [[Know-what|know-what]], [[Know-how|know-how]]) and covers many subjects or [[List of nuclear knowledge domains|domains]].
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==Description==
 
==Description==
 
[[File:Definitions of knowledge.PNG|thumb|right|500px|Table 1. Definitions of knowledge]]
 
[[File:Definitions of knowledge.PNG|thumb|right|500px|Table 1. Definitions of knowledge]]
 
Since the time of the earliest philosophers men and women have attempted to both understand and define the concept of knowledge, however, no single definition of knowledge exists that has been generally agreed upon.
 
Since the time of the earliest philosophers men and women have attempted to both understand and define the concept of knowledge, however, no single definition of knowledge exists that has been generally agreed upon.
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The many aspects of this fundamental topic are well covered in the Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knowledge).
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Table 1 shows some of the definitions:
 
Table 1 shows some of the definitions:
  
Knowledge has many dimensions.
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For example from this table we can see that Davenport and Prusak define knowledge as, "a fluid mix of framed experience, contextual information, values and expert insight that provides a framework for evaluating and incorporating new experiences and information." Knowledge by this definition therefore includes skills [1]. In the HR paradigm, there is a different definition of knowledge used by HR professionals that excludes skills from the definition of knowledge.
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Knowledge has many dimensions:
  
 
In the same way that an automotive vehicle may be described in terms of many dimensions such as:
 
In the same way that an automotive vehicle may be described in terms of many dimensions such as:
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# Artefacts – Buildings, tools, equipment, etc.
 
# Artefacts – Buildings, tools, equipment, etc.
  
Many [[Knowledge model|knowledge models]] exist that refer to these different dimensions. Three of the more practical models are described below
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'''Knowledge models:'''
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Many knowledge exist that refer to these different dimensions. Knowledge models are described in [[Knowledge model | this article]].
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====Know-why,know-how,know-what knowledge model====
 
====Know-why,know-how,know-what knowledge model====
 
=====Description=====
 
=====Description=====
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All knowledge can be subdivided onto knowledge domains. Each is the content of a particular field  or area of knowledge. In knowledge management domains are often defined by the scope of [[Communities of practice]], [[Taxonomy|taxonomies]] or [[Educational courses]] and are useful subdivisions of knowledge into which to organise knowledge repositories.
 
All knowledge can be subdivided onto knowledge domains. Each is the content of a particular field  or area of knowledge. In knowledge management domains are often defined by the scope of [[Communities of practice]], [[Taxonomy|taxonomies]] or [[Educational courses]] and are useful subdivisions of knowledge into which to organise knowledge repositories.
 
=====Example=====
 
=====Example=====
At a macro scale, examples of domains might be Chemistry, Physics, Biology or at a smaller scale the domain of Physics may be subdivided into many more domains such as Classical Mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism, Modern Physics, Optics, Thermodynamics etc.
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At a macro scale, examples of domains might be Chemistry, Physics, Biology or at a smaller scale the domain of Physics may be subdivided into many more domains such as Classical Mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism, Modern Physics, Optics, Thermodynamics etc. A list of nuclear knowledge domains can be found in [[List of nuclear knowledge domains]].
 
=====Practical application in KM=====
 
=====Practical application in KM=====
 
Practical tools for managing domains include [[Ontology|ontolgies]] which describe knowledge of a specific domain through concepts in their relation to other concepts.
 
Practical tools for managing domains include [[Ontology|ontolgies]] which describe knowledge of a specific domain through concepts in their relation to other concepts.
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===Explicit,implicit,tacit knowledge model===
 
===Explicit,implicit,tacit knowledge model===
 
=====Description=====
 
=====Description=====
 
[[File:Knowledge-Iceberg-Model.jpg|thumb|right|500px|Fig 3. The Iceberg model of tacit and explicit knowledge]]
 
[[File:Knowledge-Iceberg-Model.jpg|thumb|right|500px|Fig 3. The Iceberg model of tacit and explicit knowledge]]
 
It is useful to identify three types of knowledge: [[Explicit knowledge |Explicit]], [[Tacit knowledge |tacit]] and [[Implicit knowledge |implicit]]. Each requires different approaches to its management. The model is often illustrated with reference to an iceberg (Fig. 3.)
 
It is useful to identify three types of knowledge: [[Explicit knowledge |Explicit]], [[Tacit knowledge |tacit]] and [[Implicit knowledge |implicit]]. Each requires different approaches to its management. The model is often illustrated with reference to an iceberg (Fig. 3.)
# [[Explicit knowledge |Explicit]] is knowledge that has been articulated, codified or otherwise captured. In other words it can be documented in useful forms such as operating manuals, files, reports, drawings, etc.;
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* [[Explicit knowledge |Explicit]] is {{Explicit knowledge}}
# [[Implicit knowledge |Implicit]] is knowledge held by individuals that has the potential to be codified but has not yet been articulated or documented;
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* [[Implicit knowledge |Implicit]] is {{Implicit knowledge}}
# [[Tacit knowledge |Tacit]], in contrast, is held in the mind of individuals and is often unspoken and difficult to articulate and share. It includes skills, insight, intuition and judgement. The consensus amongst knowledge management professionals is that most of the knowledge in any organisations is tacit.
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* [[Tacit knowledge |Tacit]] is {{Tacit knowledge}}
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=====Example=====
 
=====Example=====
 
Much of what can be descirbe for the swimming example above under the "know-why,know-how,know-what" model can also be said of this model, where Tacit knowledge is broadly equivalent to know-how and explicit knowledge is equivalent to know-what.
 
Much of what can be descirbe for the swimming example above under the "know-why,know-how,know-what" model can also be said of this model, where Tacit knowledge is broadly equivalent to know-how and explicit knowledge is equivalent to know-what.
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=====Practical application in KM=====
 
=====Practical application in KM=====
 
A corollary to the model is that usually only part of the explicit knowledge is codified and thus represents an opportunity for knowledge [[Capture|capture]].
 
A corollary to the model is that usually only part of the explicit knowledge is codified and thus represents an opportunity for knowledge [[Capture|capture]].
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== References ==
 
== References ==
  
[1] KURONEN, BIT Research Center, Helsinki University of Technology, “What is tacit knowledge in NPP maintenance and what are the prerequisites for sharing it?”, CSNI International Workshop, Ottawa, Canada, 3-5 October 2005.
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[1] DAVENPORT, T.H., PRUSAK, L., Working Knowledge: How Organizations Manage What They Know, Harvard Business School Press, Boston, MA (2000).
  
[2] DAVENPORT, T.H., PRUSAK, L., Working Knowledge: How Organizations Manage What They Know, Harvard Business School Press, Boston, MA (2000).
 
  
[3] INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL ON ARCHIVES, Radioactive Waste Information: Meeting Our Obligations to Future Generations with Regard to Safety of Waste Disposal Facilities, ICA Study 18, ICA, Paris (2006).
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==Related articles==
  
[4] INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY, Planning and Execution of Knowledge Management Assist missions for Nuclear Organizations, IAEA-TECDOC-1586, IAEA, Vienna (2008).
 
 
[5] INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY, Knowledge Management for Nuclear Industry Operating Organizations, IAEA-TECDOC-1510, IAEA, Vienna (2006).
 
 
==Related articles==
 
 
[[Data]]
 
[[Data]]
  
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[[Explicit knowledge]]
 
[[Explicit knowledge]]
  
[[Know-why]]
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[[Knowledge lifecycle]]
 
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[[Know-how]]
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[[Know-what]]
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[[Nuclear knowledge]]
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[[Critical knowledge]]
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[[Template:Know-why |Know-why]]
  
[[Knowledge asset]]
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[[Template:Know-how |Know-how]]
  
[[Intellectual capital]]
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[[Template:Know-what |Know-what]]
  
[[KM disambiguation]]
 
  
 
[[Category:Knowledge]]
 
[[Category:Knowledge]]
[[Category:Exemplar]]
 

Latest revision as of 13:53, 7 March 2016


Definition

A mix of experiences, values, contextual information and expert insight for acquiring, understanding and interpreting information. Together with attitudes and skills, it forms a capacity for effective actions.

Note1: Knowledge is a combination of ‘knowing facts’ about and ‘knowing how’ to do something. It refers to a body of facts and principles accumulated by humankind over the course of time. It is distinct from information as knowledge is information that has a purpose or use. Data leads to information and information leads to knowledge. Knowledge confers a capacity for effective action.

Note2: The draft version of ISO 9001E 2014 defines knowledge as available collection of information (3.50) being a justified belief and having a high certainty to be true.

Description

Table 1. Definitions of knowledge

Since the time of the earliest philosophers men and women have attempted to both understand and define the concept of knowledge, however, no single definition of knowledge exists that has been generally agreed upon.

The many aspects of this fundamental topic are well covered in the Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knowledge).

Table 1 shows some of the definitions:

For example from this table we can see that Davenport and Prusak define knowledge as, "a fluid mix of framed experience, contextual information, values and expert insight that provides a framework for evaluating and incorporating new experiences and information." Knowledge by this definition therefore includes skills [1]. In the HR paradigm, there is a different definition of knowledge used by HR professionals that excludes skills from the definition of knowledge.

Knowledge has many dimensions:

In the same way that an automotive vehicle may be described in terms of many dimensions such as:

  1. Materials: Metal, Rubber, Glass etc.
  2. Components: Wheels, Engine, Passenger compartment, etc.
  3. Colours : Black, Red, Grey etc.

So also can Knowledge be described in terms of a number of different dimensions such as:

  1. Domains – technical, organisational, societal etc.
  2. States – Explicit, implicit, tacit etc.
  3. Levels – Know-why, know-how, know-what etc.
  4. Representations – Documents, models, pictures etc.
  5. Categories – Good practices, lessons, standards etc.
  6. Artefacts – Buildings, tools, equipment, etc.


Knowledge models:

Many knowledge exist that refer to these different dimensions. Knowledge models are described in this article.


References

[1] DAVENPORT, T.H., PRUSAK, L., Working Knowledge: How Organizations Manage What They Know, Harvard Business School Press, Boston, MA (2000).


Related articles

Data

Information

Tacit knowledge

Implicit knowledge

Explicit knowledge

Knowledge lifecycle

Know-why

Know-how

Know-what