There are three main generations of knowledge management systems. The first generation of knowledge management began in the early 1960s with the invention of computer-mediated systems for sharing and storing information.
The second generation of knowledge management appeared in the 1990s, which became more prevalent with the rise of globalization.
Third generation was finally invented in 2009 and is a combination between social networking and AI-powered software.
This blog article will explore these three generations from the history of knowledge management.
Definition of Knowledge Management
Knowledge management is a system that aims to build a link between the knowledge of employees and the relevant parties within a company, so that people within an organization can have access to what they need at the right time.
Knowledge management makes it possible to share crucial information within a company or organization for efficient and effective productivity.
The Generations of Knowledge Management
First Generation
The first generation of knowledge management ( KM ) was developed in the 1960s and 1970s when a small number of academic experts created models for managing knowledge across organizations.
First generation of knowledge management is known as “The Paper Era”. In the early days of knowledge management, information was stored on paper and passed from one person to another.
Second Generation
The second generation of knowledge management was developed in the late 1990s and early 2000s. This was the era of the intranet and the extranet, which are still used in many organizations. As a result, Knowledge Management Systems were used to manage information across companies and around the world.
The second generation of knowledge management is known as “The Electronic Era”. With the advent of computers and electronic files, knowledge management transitioned to an electronic format. This allowed for faster communication and access to information by multiple people.
Third Generation
The second generation of knowledge management is known as “The Internet Era”. The Internet has revolutionized how people share information online. Today, most knowledge is shared online through blogs, social media, and other online platforms.
The third generation of knowledge management is currently being developed. This is the era of big data and artificial intelligence (AI). As a result, KMSs will be used to manage not only information, but also insights and decisions.
The future of knowledge management is exciting because it promises to allow businesses to better compete in today’s digital world. Thanks to KMSs, companies will be able to access and use information quickly and easily.
Purpose of Knowledge Management
Knowledge management has been around for a long time and it has evolved over time. There are many benefits of Knowledge Management some are mentioned below:
- To determine the best and most appropriate information to support a business activity.
- To bring in efficiency in knowledge process by gathering, linking and analyzing relevant information.
- To give an overall understanding of a business.
- To save time for companies as it takes time to acquire all the knowledge about a business.
- It is effective when there is a very large amount of data.
- It has become easier to achieve the best results by developing an action plan.
- To provide data from companies SOP’s for employee, it makes things simpler.
- It helps in avoiding the duplication of information and thus save time.
- It also helps in enhancing quality control by eliminating errors.
- To provide a better understanding of certain situations so that they may be resolved easily or avoided completely
- Knowledge management is mainly used by decision makers, their executives and managers as a way to share knowledge and experiences with other members within an organization as well as outside to help gain competitive advantage
- It helps in reducing costs by reducing waste, time-wasting activities and losses.
Conclusion
Generations of knowledge management have come a long way in the last few decades. Companies will be able to customize information management for your organization’s needs and set it in motion. Organizations will be able to create a plan of action, apply it, and see results.
By understanding how these generations operate and what their unique needs are, it will be much easier for management to manage the organization’s information effectively.
