Exploring primary activities of the knowledge chain

• Published in: Knowledge and process management Vol. 11; no. 3; pp. 155 - 174
• Main Authors: Holsapple, Clyde W., Jones, Kiku
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chichester, UK John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 01-07-2004; Wiley Periodicals Inc
• Subjects: Competition; Competitive advantage; Knowledge economy; Knowledge management; Management science; Ontology; Organizational learning; Studies
• ISSN: 1092-4604; 1099-1441
• DOI: 10.1002/kpm.200

It is often claimed that knowledge management (KM) is important, or even essential, as a basis for competitiveness. The knowledge chain model was recently advanced as a first step in understanding the linkage between KM and organizational performance. Based on a general ontology of KM, this model identifies five primary and four secondary activities as focal points for enhancing competitiveness. Both anecdotes and survey results support the model. Here we further explore the primary KM activities found in the knowledge chain model by treating each as a class involving several distinct types of activity. A literature review yielded over 200 variations of the five primary activities. We consolidate these into 32 distinct activity types and organize them into the five primary activity classes. Within each class a typology of activity types is developed. The result is a more in‐depth version of the knowledge chain model. It gives greater guidance to practitioners striving to incorporate KM into their organizations and their competitive strategies. It also suggests avenues for future research. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.