Knowledge friendly culture : the importance of organisational culture to the success of knowledge management

Abstract

This essay will explore the importance of organisational culture to the acceptance of knowledge management in an organisation. Developing a knowledge friendly culture can be seen as one of the most important factors in the success of a knowledge management initiative. Organisations can be viewed as a culture that contains the shared values and beliefs of its members. This essay will take the view that the development of a knowledge management initiative is a cultural development, as it requires that the values and beliefs of knowledge sharing, creation, and transfer are present in order for the initiative to be successful. Viewing knowledge management as a cultural activity has implications for the implementation of knowledge management. It means that knowledge management can not be seen as a simple technological endeavour, and it can not be forced on employees by the rules, systems and procedures of the management of an organisation. It also means that managers and leaders have to become aware of the importance of their actions in defining the values and beliefs of their organisation.