Knowledge, action, and context: Impact on knowledge management

The relation between knowledge and action is discussed. It is argued that knowledge comprises static as well as dynamic aspects that are related to expectation of success of possible action and control over the performance of factual action, respectively, Both views concur in success of action as common point of reference. The main claim of this paper is that regarding this reference to action propositional knowledge does not differ from practical knowledge. In this way action establishes a natural dependency of knowledge on context. The approach is compared to the analytical characterization of propositional knowledge as justified true belief, pointing at existing connections. Consequences for knowledge management are indicated regarding the support of knowledge intensive work and knowledge transfer.