Applying Systems Thinking to Knowledge Management Systems: The Case of Pratt-Whitney Rocketdyne

This paper describes Pratt-Whitney Rocketdyne\u27s (PWR) use of a systems thinking methodology to define and improve knowledge management (KM) within the firm. Using systems thinking, the company identified and changed key behaviors within the KM environment and effectively established a generative learning environment. This manuscript is one of the first papers that analyzes and reports a real-world application of the systems thinking methodology to improve KM practices. We first review systems thinking concepts and adapt them to the KM context. We then present the case study of the application of systems thinking to KM at PWR. Finally, we use an inductive approach based on an analysis of the case to develop propositions on how and why the KM systems thinking methodology at PWR can be transferred to KM practices in other organizations