From fragmentation to integration: towards an integrated model of knowledge management and organisational learning

"In the Knowledge Society, knowledge is the most important resource and learning the most important process". (Vestager 1999) Effective Knowledge Management and Organisational Learning (K.M.& O.L) are now increasingly recognised as among the most important sources of individual and organisational effectiveness and sustainable competitive advantage. With rapid and increasing change an individual's, organisation's or society's ability to acquire, manage, make sense of and utilise vast amounts of information and knowledge i.e. to learn is no longer merely desirable, but is essential for sustainable survival and success. Over the last decade the concepts of K.M.& O.L. and related topics have increasingly become some of the most addressed topics both in academic and practitioner publications. This trend is likely to intensify in the decades ahead. However, the relationships and linkages between these important concepts are often confusing, and sometimes seemingly non-existent. This paper introduces and outlines an Integrated model of K.M.&O.L. This exploratory model consists of three levels. Firstly, a broad strategic K.M.& O.L. framework level, secondly, the cultural and infrastructure supports required for effective K.M.& O.L. and thirdly the five crucial phases in the K.M.& O.L. process - these being to 'generate, integrate, retain & recall, interpret and utilise' a firms knowledge.