Change of Paradigm in Knowledge Management : Framework for the Collaborative Production and Exchange of Knowledge

Abstract

We propose a paradigm shift in the understanding of knowledge management. This puts knowledge management in the broader context of communication. Knowledge management is generally understood as a means of having better control over the production and usage of explicit and implicit knowledge in organizations of any kind, preferably commercial businesses, but also public administrations. The paradigm shift in the understanding of knowledgemanagement (towards communications) has come about because knowledge and information are no longer considered as being simply there. Information is not just the result of a particular distribution or retrieval process, using and applying existing knowledge to new problems, but is also the result ofcommunication processes. This can be called the network or communication approach to knowledge management. Knowledge and information in all areas and in all applications are increasingly produced, distributed and used collaboratively. We cover the following topics:(a) The paradigm shift is quite obvious with respect to knowledge management from an organizational perspective. (b) The paradigm shift towards communicative knowledge management has also consequence from a political perspective and (c) will have consequences for the media. (d) The communicative paradigm of knowledge management is also increasingly relevant as a means of organizing learning processes as collaborative cooperative, knowledge sharing processes. (e) It is obvious that the paradigm shift towards communication processes also dramatically changes the way how the production and the exchange of knowledge is and will be organized in scientific environment. (f) The communicative approach has and will continue to have a strong influence on our understanding of the concept of authorship and, consequently, of ownership of intellectual property. (g) Finally, knowledge management in the communicative paradigm - at least with respect to the topic of generating and disseminating knowledge in the communicative, self-organizing paradigm - will have major consequences for librarians'work and the structure and mandate of information transfer institutions.