EXPLOITING THE KM-INNOVATION CONNECTION: Managing knowledge through informal networks

摘要

In many industries, innovation is the only way to capture market share, and innovation means using existing knowledge to the organization's benefit. In an article adapted from her book Managing Innovation, Design and Creativity, Bettina von Stamm explains how KM contributes to innovation through informal networks, experts databases and idea management. Informal networks are part of the jigsaw that makes an innovative organization. It's about knowing who to go to when you need a particular bit of information or a particular skill, who can do a particular job for you - or who is the right person to influence decision-makers. At the BBC, it was Mike Milne's web-based discussion groups that helped to find people with the right skills and attitude. At Black & Decker it was Lawrie Cunningham knowing that Nigel Robson would take a design task and turn it into something really exciting. Here we will look at the role of informal networks for innovation and the way managers attempt to formalize such information networks; this is where we enter the territory of knowledge management.