Bewertung des Arabian Journal of Business and Management

A Cyclic Model for Knowledge Management Capability-A Review Study

Abstract

Yen-ching OuYang

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to review and present that separate capabilities of knowledge management (KM) are identified and classified as sequential capability. These KM capabilities are utilized to affect organizational performance with a KM-cyclic view. Design/methodology/approach: This paper is a literature review research, through which KM capability and performance are identified, synthesized, from related books, literature and other research studies. Using key-word search in electronic databases, we generated a fairly exhaustive list of the articles dealing with the topic of KM capability in the period of 1979 to 2010 as well as various sources were extended from searching results. A total of 60 articles were identified for KM capability and 30 articles for performance measurement. Findings: The results of the research suggest two main aspects: 1) The KM capabilities were organized as four categories with cyclic view: acquisition/creation, conversion, sharing, and application. 2) The KM performance measurements were classified as two categories: non-financial and financial measurements. Research limitations/implications: There is a need to undertake empirical research and in-depth case studies of knowledge management practices using a KM cyclic view as a framework with which to interpret findings. Originality/value: The KM cyclic view is used to make some recommendations on appropriate research approaches to further our understanding of relationship of KM capability and performance in research. This also provides future researchers with useful means to assess the KM performance in different KM capability and to realize the benefits of a knowledge-based economy.