2009 ‘Knowledge management for the twenty-first century: a large comprehensive survey emphasizes KM strategy’, EMCIS2009

This paper presents a first set of results from an ongoing large comprehensive global survey of knowledge management (KM). In light of the observed developments since previous knowledge management surveys, we redefine the KM function, how it should be performed, and what tools and techniques will best assist in its performance. Our research instrument is a global online hosted survey which, to date, has been answered by nearly700 participants. Three hypotheses on the first step of the ”new ” KM management process, emphasizing the importance of strategy, cover this work. These hypotheses are tested by five questions and supported by the survey responses. It is demonstrated that in many organizations technology has failed to have much impact on the way knowledge is transferred and shared. KM programmes have resulted more in community development than in specific KM systems. Due to the breadth and depth of this survey, the results reported here provide a global snapshot of how knowledge is currently being managed across nations, organizations and various forms of KM function. The findings should be of great use to both pracitioners and academics; to academics for their future research and to practitioners in undertaking knowledge management in all sectors of small to very large organizations