Knowledge Management in the Contemporary Firm

SA15.1 The Emergence of Leadership in Knowledge Management: A Look at Forms & Functions

• Patricia D. Witherspoon; University of Texas, Dept. of Speech Comm., Austin, TX;

Knowledge management in contemporary organizations requires new approaches to the exercise of leadership within these organizations. We look at the characteristics and expectations of those engaged in the process of knowledge management as a process and suggest new forms of leadership that emerge in this process.

SA15.2 Profound Knowledge & Software Systems Engineering: Is there a Link?

• Bobby G. Moore; SAIC, 4242 Woodcock Dr., Ste. 150, San Antonio, TX 78228; bmoore@texas.net

Deming's 'profound knowledge' and Checkland's soft system methodology are described and analyzed to determine if a linkage exists between them and if so, what the nature of the linkage is.

SA15.3 Using Technology Transfer's Empirical Research to Inform the Area of Knowledge Management

• Kathy L. Wohlert; University of Texas, Div. of Mgmt. & Mktg., 6900 North Loop 1604 West, San Antonio, TX 78249; kwohlert@utsa.edu

Although there is a burgeoning interest in and implementation of knowledge management programs in many of today's firms, limited empirical research exists in knowledge management. Technology transfer is identified as a subset of knowledge management and the research from the field of technology transfer is applied accordingly.

SA15.4 Knowledge Management & Adding Value to an Organization

• Glenn Dietrich; University of Texas, Div. of Acctng. & Info Sys., 6900 North Loop 1604 West, San Antonio, TX 78249; gdietrich@utsa.edu

Knowledge management has become an important part of business. We explore ways that knowledge management can add value to an organization. Particular emphasis is placed on creating conditions within the firm that foster knowledge management. Using knowledge management as a technique for developing strategic plans in a rapidly changing technology environment is also discussed.