Examination of the relationship between knowledge management and records management

Abstract

Knowledge management has rapidly become one of the most discussed business processes of the 1990s. In order to capture 'knowledge', knowledge management is heavily reliant on electronic document technologies. Various knowledge management practices for dealing with electronic documents have been devised. Records management has undergone fundamental theoretical changes in response to the increasing use of electronic records. This essay examines the parallel development of both knowledge management and records management theories and practice for the management of electronic records. The reasons for records managers adoption of knowledge management is examined. It is suggested that social factors, including the pressure on business records managers to demonstrate a value to an organisation has been a contributing factor. This essay suggests that the ways in which knowledge management and records management mange electronic documents is similar, although the theoretical motivations of the two practices differ.