Knowledge Waste & Knowledge Loss - What is it All About?

In this paper we are interested in developing an understanding of the concepts of knowledge waste and knowledge loss. The latter can in the worst case lead to "a decreased capacity for effective action or decision making in a specific organizational context" (DeLong, 2004, p. 21). Whereas knowledge waste means that companies are not using the full capacity of existing knowledge. As outlined by Ferenhof (2011) it is any failure in the process of knowledge conversion. These definitions imply differences between the concepts, the literature however suggests that many authors uses them interchangeably. Is that correct? Are the concepts important, of relevance? The present article's aim is to highlight the importance of having better insights into the concepts. The authors believe that both theory and corporate practice will benefit from an improved understanding.