Measuring, Visualizing, and Controlling Intangible Assets in Knowledge Management

This article focuses on the advancement of common tools in the field of measurement, visualization, and controlling of intangible assets. In this course, the fundamentals are the Boston Matrix, the McKinsey Portfolio, the life cycle analysis, and the SWOT analysis. The authors apply a hermeneutical and conceptual approach based on a literature review in order to design new instruments for portfolio analyses of intangible assets. The newly adapted tools are examined with respect to their adequacy for the strategic evaluation and development of knowledge bases in organizations. The authors introduce a Knowledge Matrix linked to a life cycle model of knowledge. Furthermore, the SWOT analysis is adjusted for the use in strategic knowledge management. The results of this paper shall be the groundwork for the implementation and evaluation of such tools in practice.