A suggested framework of key elements defining effective enterprise-wide knowledge management programs

Despite increasing endorsements from enterprises worldwide many serious managers still believe that Knowledge Management (KM) is the latest management sciences fad. However, experienced practitioners of KM believe this skepticism is fueled by numerous programs based on hasty me-too practices, which lack the understanding required for an effective enterprise-wide KM solution. Numerous KM Models exist, and continue to proliferate. The problem is that they focus on detailed mechanisms for identifying types and sources of knowledge and the means to capture and disseminate it, but don't address KM across the full spectrum of organizational needs. Senge's learning organization model- does treat new patterns of thinking for learning across all organizational boundaries, but it too falls short. In 1999, Dr. Michael Stankosky proposed a model of four pillars, i.e. Key Elements (KEs) critical to KM programs: Technology, Organization, Leadership and Learning, where all four KEs form a disciplined systems approach to the integration of a framework encompassing all facets of enterprise-wide KM programs. This research validated the existence of these Key Elements, and statistically supported their perceived values and relative importance. The research methodology used employed a multi-part questionnaire, completed by 240 industry and government personnel, which captured the respondents' inputs in the context of their Beliefs, Practices and Preferences for these KEs. The results of this research reflect the utility of the four pillar KE model for use in the assessment and implementation of effective enterprise-wide KM programs.