Exploring the knowledge landscape: four emerging views of knowledge

Abstract

Purpose

The concept of “knowledge” is presented in diverse and sometimes even controversial ways in the knowledge management (KM) literature. The aim of this paper is to identify the emerging views of knowledge and to develop a framework to illustrate the interrelationships of the different knowledge types.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is a literature review to explore how “knowledge” as a central concept is presented and understood in a selected range of KM publications (1990‐2004).

Findings

The exploration of the knowledge landscape showed that “knowledge” is viewed in four emerging and complementary ways. The ontological, epistemological, commodity, and community views of knowledge are discussed in this paper. The findings show that KM is still a young discipline and therefore it is natural to have different, sometimes even contradicting views of “knowledge” side by side in the literature.

Practical implications

These emerging views of knowledge could be seen as opportunities for researchers to provide new contributions. However, this diversity and complexity call for careful and specific clarification of the researchers' standpoint, for a clear statement of their views of knowledge.

Originality/value

This paper offers a framework as a compass for researchers to help their orientation in the confusing and ever changing landscape of knowledge.

Citation

Jakubik, M. (2007), "Exploring the knowledge landscape: four emerging views of knowledge", Journal of Knowledge Management, Vol. 11 No. 4, pp. 6-19. https://doi.org/10.1108/13673270710762675