Knowledge Management Models

Knowledge is the most valuable asset that needs to be managed properly to achieve its benefits. Knowledge management models give a framework through which the knowledge can be managed. There is wide range of knowledge management models available to create, store and retrieve knowledge within an organization.
Most organizations use the traditional information processing model to share their knowledge which is based on the myths such as “Knowledge management technologies can deliver the right information to the right and to store and retrieve human intelligence”. But the new paradigm proposed by churchman (Malhotra, 2000) which is called as a sense making paradigm of knowledge management emphasize that the “knowledge resides in the user and not in the collection of information it is how the user reacts to a collection of information that matters.” This new paradigm helps the organization to share the knowledge effectively to achieve competitive advantage.
Knowledge management models can be categorized in many ways such as Cognitive Model, Network Model, Community of practice model and Quantum knowledge management models. It also can be to categorized as Knowledge category model and Intellectual capital models
In Cognitive model, the knowledge is considered as an asset and it is considered as something to be managed and accounted SECI (Socialization, Externalization, Combination, and Internalization) Model proposed by Nonaka (Nonaka and Takeuchi, 1995) is one of the well-known cognitive models available. In this model the knowledge is categorized as Tacit and Explicit, and it focuses on knowledge conversion within the organization (i.e. Tacit to explicit, explicit to explicit, explicit to tacit, and tacit to tacit). It is mostly considered as more controlling in approach and more focus is given to standardize the knowledge and duplicate it further.
The network model of knowledge management is derived from the network organizations where the knowledge creation and sharing are considered as a main aspect for the organizational learning. Other than these above mentioned models there exist an oldest model of knowledge management which is called a community of practice model where the sense of common enterprise that can bring all together as one social entity to share their knowledge with each other through a shared commitment and the newest development in this field called quantum model which at the same time integrate and interrelate with all the people in the organization to solve more complex problems that can bring great benefits to its stakeholders(Kakabadse et al, 2003).
According to McAdam R. and McCreedy S. (1999) the knowledge category model is used to classify knowledge in to discrete elements and the Scandia Intellectual capital model believe that knowledge management can be isolated into human, customer and growth elements which are part of human and organizational capital. Both Nonaka’s SECI model which has been explained earlier and the Boisot’s model come under the knowledge category model and both of these two models have some similarities where in SECI model knowledge is categorized in to tacit and explicit but in Boisot’s model it is categorized as codified (easily transmittable) , un codified(not easily transmittable) knowledge and diffused(easily shared) , undiffused (not easily shared).
By looking at the SECI model in action in a learning process will help us to understand it further. Socialization is a process, through which the experience, understanding and skills (tacit knowledge) are shared through observations, discussion or by spending time in the same environment. Externalization process which is a key for knowledge creation is where the tacit to explicit knowledge conversion take place. Blog is a good example which supports the externalization process by facilitating to capture personal knowledge and distribute discussions among others which is very useful in a learning process. Combination is a process where tacit to tacit knowledge conversion take place, the captured knowledge is in the form of explicit knowledge which can be shared through blogs and wikis that provide learning repositories that contain more up to date, context rich, easily searchable learning assets and RSS helps to share resources which can facilitate the learning process. Finally through the Internalization process explicit knowledge can be converted to tacit through bringing the learners together more aggressively and supportively through multi user simulation to learn through shared experience. (Chatti et al, 2007).
In Conclusion, although there are many models available in knowledge management, the suitable selection of appropriate model should be adapted or created according to the specific need of an individual or organization.

References
Kakabadse, N., Kakabadse, A., Kouzmin, A.(2003), "Reviewing the knowledge management literature: towards a taxonomy", Journal of Knowledge Management, Vol. 7 No. 4, pp.75-91.

Malhotra, Y.(2000) ,” Knowledge Management & New Organization Forms: A Framework for Business Model Innovation”, Last accessed 10 April 2009 at: http://www.brint.org/KMNewOrg.pdf.
Nonaka tekeuchi(1995),SECI model, Last accessed 11 April 2009 at: http://www.12manage.com/methods_nonaka_seci.html

McAdam R. and McCreedy S. (1999),”A critical review of knowledge management models. The Learning Organization”: An International Journal, vol.6, no.3, pp.91-101 accessed on
11th April 2009.
Chatti,M.N, Klamma, R., Jarke, M., and Naeve, A.(2007),” The Web 2.0 Driven SECI Model Based Learning Process ”, Last accessed 14 April 2009 at: http://www-i5.informatik.rwth-aachen.de/i5new/staff/klamma/download/ICALT07_CKJN.pdf