Research proposal v4| Research Questions | Methodology | Old |
Objective
The aim of this study is to propose the concept of 'competence in knowledge management', or KM competence, and then to investigate how this competence is developed, particularly in the context of graduate KM programs.
It is important to note that the focus is on individual competence, rather than organizational or
collective competence. Thus, we are seeking to better understand the
role of KM professionals and practitioners, instead of studying how an
organization develops knowledge creation, transfer and application
capabilities.
Research questions
Main:
- How is KM competence developed at graduate KM education?
Subsidiary:
- What is KM? Or, how can the diversity of perspectives and topics in the KM discipline be integrated?
- What is KM competence? Or, how can KM competence be conceived, characterized, and understood?
- How is KM competence developed? Or, how does KM competence
evolves and how is it fostered in the context of graduate KM programs?
Methodology
The concept of KM competence will be theoretically developed through
the analysis and integration of three streams of literature: varied
perspectives on the KM discipline, case studies of KM in practice, and
accounts of KM roles and their characteristics. We will then seek
validation of the concept in a survey of both academics and
practitioners.
The development of KM competence will be studied through a series of case studies of selected graduate
KM programs. Data will be collected via semi-structured interviews of
programs' coordinators and instructors, and through the analysis of
available documents and other published material (e.g. reports,
syllabi, web sites, brochures, etc.).
Expected outcomes
The following outcomes are expected as a result of this study:
- a framework of KM competence that explains how specific
understandings, abilities and other personal characteristics relate to
one another to yield competence in KM;
- a knowledge-based model of KM competence development that explains the knowledge processes involved and how they interact.
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