Knowledge Management 4.0: Theoretical and Practical Considerations in Cyber Physical Production Systems

摘要

Knowledge Management in the era of Industry 4.0 (KM 4.0) in both human- and technology-oriented perspectives is a strategic and operational function comprising exploration and exploitation processes. It is responsible to accomplish two major tasks. First, KM 4.0 should continuously support value generation through enhancing and balancing need- or opportunity-driven knowledge generation and knowledge utilization capacities. Second, KM 4.0 should persistently facilitate developing and protecting human-machine collective intelligence across manufacturing enterprises and in particular smart factories. Hence, KM 4.0 is an enabler to maximize competitive advantages and derive business values in the manufacturing enterprises. The revival of AI and emergence of autonomous and learnable technologies challenge the unique role of human as a knowledge actor, decision-maker, problem-solver and learner. What are the considerations on rethinking KM approaches in relation to the march of technological enhancements? This paper proposes a definition and discusses the theoretical foundation of KM 4.0 as well as related practical aspects that should be taken into consideration, especially in dynamic, data-driven and hybrid human-machine working environments in smart factories.