A constructivist perspective on knowledge management

Abstract

Can knowledge be isolated, captured, and transferred between individuals within an organization? From an interdisciplinary perspective, grounded in recent information systems research, this paper presents an overview of knowledge management, describes a constructivist view of knowledge, and draws a clear distinction between the concepts of 'data', 'information', and 'knowledge'. Based upon this framework, the author discusses the implications of such a perspective on knowledge management. While this outlook demands a variable, contextual, and constructed view of knowledge, it also underscores the importance of persuasive communication as a means to shape an individual's understanding.