Importance of Culture in Knowledge Management

 

One of the key aspects to be considered before implementing knowledge management is the culture of the organization. Human component is the core of knowledge management. An organization’s knowledge management strategy cannot be successful unless the organization has developed a trusting knowledge culture that emphasizes the role and value of knowledge in day-to-day business decisions and enterprises. The culture must be geared towards rewarding innovation, learning, experimentation, scrutiny and reflection (Allee, 1997). 

It is important for organization to establish a culture that is conducive to create, transfer and use knowledge. Many organizations are engaged today at a very high-level in changing the norms, policies and values relating to knowledge. There are various initiatives that are initiated to create awareness in the workforce to understand the importance of this valuable asset so that the knowledge management can be effective. These change initiatives will not be successful, if it does not fit the culture. This means the management has to make sure that the approach which is being initiated is aligned to the present culture or prepare for a long-term culture change effort. If the culture does not support, then the best of technology, content or good practices will not help. Hence organizational culture is an important fact and needs to be focused upon. 

Some factors to be considered are:

• The workforce should have a positive orientation to knowledge - they should be bright, intellectually curious, willing and free to explore. Managers and leaders should encourage their knowledge creation and use. 
• The workforce should not be inhibited in sharing knowledge - they should feel that they are not alienated or resentful of the organization and don't fear that sharing knowledge will cost them their jobs. 

Therefore effective knowledge management requires a healthy and conducive culture as a prerequisite.