The role of knowledge management in the pharmaceutical enterprise

In the knowledge intensive pharmaceutical sector, novelty and value are essential for corporate success. This paper discusses the requirements for, and the role of, effective Knowledge Management, as a means for business optimisation and improvement in terms of performance and competitiveness. The various types of knowledge resources are identified and major issues for both explicit/informational and tacit/behavioural assets are discussed. It is argued that the key challenges for the future are underpinned by the rapidly increasing need for more effective communication, either between systems or between people. Intelligent information processing and improved knowledge transfer and sharing are called for. Copyright © 2009 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd