OPPORTUNITIES OF HARNESSING ORGANIZATIONAL KNOWLEDGE

Abstract

In order for an organization to harness the most out of its knowledge fluxes, informational stocks and data bases it must focus its interest specifically in those areas. Within this paper we point out the idea that understanding knowledge types and knowledge processes may lead to great performance opportunities for the employees and for the organization. We started our debate through emphasizing the role and importance of knowledge both as a historical concept and as a modern tool for practice. Many discussions about knowledge start from their place in a certain hierarchy and continue by emphasizing in turn each of the following levels. We brought to attention some arguments in order to explain how organizations may transform gradually their databases and information stocks into competitive knowledge. Organizational knowledge has different perspectives, forms and meanings depending very much on the context. Understanding the knowledge hierarchy makes it possible to be more effective and avoid errors by knowing exactly which type of knowledge one needs to use. Further we argue that correct identification of knowledge helps to guide these effectively and therefore contributes to the successful achievement of organizational tasks. At this point we present some very meaningful metaphors of knowledge.