Knowledge acquisition that refocuses knowledge management

A model of knowledge acquisition that refocuses knowledge management
John Van Beveren

The author John Van Beveren is Lecturer, University of Ballarat, Mt Helen, Australia. Keywords Information, Management, Model, Intellectual property, Innovation Abstract This paper presents a model of knowledge acquisition from definitions of data, information and knowledge. The model asserts that knowledge cannot exist outside of the human brain, and that any expression of the knowledge requires it to be transformed into information to be communicated outside of the brain. The model asserts that information is acquired through the sensors to the brain where it is processed with prior knowledge and that new knowledge can be created from the processing of information within the brain only. From a discussion of this model in the context of alternative viewpoints, it is concluded that the future focus for knowledge management should be toward human resource strategies that leverage human-intellectual capital within firms and for the dissemination and sharing of important information that promotes creativity and innovation within and between employees. Electronic access The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at http://www.emeraldinsight.com/1367-3270.htm

Journal of Knowledge Management Volume 6 . Number 1 . 2002 . pp. 18±22 # MCB UP Limited . ISSN 1367-3270 DOI 10.1108/13673270210417655

Knowledge management has become very popular, particularly as we are in the ‘‘information age’’ and ‘‘knowledge era’’, and much has been written on the topic from various disciplines, ranging from management, strategy, economics, to computer science. Each of these disciplines has provided numerous viewpoints and approaches to knowledge management, although they all centre around the notion that knowledge is a valuable asset that must be managed, and the essence of knowledge management is to provide strategies to get the right knowledge to the right people at the