Overview

Knowledge management (KM) is frequently presented as a recent development born entirely of the business world. However, the intellectual origins of knowledge management are both deeper and broader than have been posited in the literature to date. Influences of philosophy, economics, education, psychology, information and communication theory, and library and information studies have been almost completely overlooked. This book links current and historical works to the development of knowledge management across domains and disciplines to give students and scholars a deeper appreciation of the origins of KM and a better understanding of its intellectual origins, its concepts, and principles. Through his thorough and critical examination of historical and more recent classic works, Wallace demystifies this important, emerging area of study. An essential and fascinating read for LIS faculty, students, and practitioners; required reading for courses in Knowledge Management.

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9781591585022

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Reviews

Wallace makes an important contribution to the knowledge management (KM) literature by explicating KM within a rich historical and multidisciplinary context. Organized by thematic chapters ranging from epistemology to systems thinking and learning organizations to taxonomies to KM itself, the book relies on key papers for each. While some papers, like Adrianna Kezars work on organizational learning, are omitted, overall Wallace is thorough. Wallaces carefully detailed discussions and numerous references to the primary KM literature in many disciplines make the book well suited for a library science and/or KM textbook...Highly recommended for library science, organizational development, knowledge management, and related academic library collections. - Library Journal The strength of this book lies in the author's ability to pull together diverse philosophies and multiple theories as they relate to this new field called knowledge management. Wallace includes a fair representation of philosophies and highlights the contributions of each, using a writing style that is as simplified as advanced academic-level material permits. Collapsed biographies of philosophers are presented throughout the chapters, permitting readers insight into events that may have influenced their lives and thinking...This work recommends itself to library and information science faculty, students, and practitioners, and is considered required reading for courses in knowledge management. It is also useful for people in the computer sciences and human-computer interaction fields. Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through professionals. - Choice Beginning with a discussion on the history of the use of the term knowledge management, the author proceeds in great detail to examine the literature of epistemology, especially as it relates to organizing and disseminating knowledge for use. Each chapter begins with key term definitions and is divided into easily digestible chunks. This is for those interested in the theory of knowledge and knowledge management. - Library Media Connection This collection of easy-to-understand essays on previously published complex works from 1928 through 1999 is presented by a professor in the School of Library and Information Studies at the University of Oklahoma, making the field approachable for novices. This work is intended for all students of knowledge management and closely related fields as well as knowledge management practitioners who want to place the field in context... An extremely useful addition to any collection serving a population that studies or uses knowledge management, this work brings the often dry and hard-to-understand original writings to life with commentary and interpretation by an instructor of the field. - ARBA

Beginning with a discussion on the history of the use of the term knowledge management, the author proceeds in great detail to examine the literature of epistemology, especially as it relates to organizing and disseminating knowledge for use. Each chapter begins with key term definitions and is divided into easily digestible chunks. This is for those interested in the theory of knowledge and knowledge management. -Library Media Connection

Author Information

Danny P. Wallace was professor, School of Library and Information Studies, University of Oklahoma, Norman. He was coeditor of RUSA Quarterly, coauthor of Library Evaluation (Libraries Unlimited, 1999), and served on ALA's accreditation committee.

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