Knowledge Seeking in KM - Towards an Adapted KM Cycle

Various disciplines have influenced and informed the field of knowledge management (KM) thinking and practices, therefore there are different KM perspectives and practices. Although a lack of consensus exists among these KM perspectives, the differences between them are not really that great: they are all regarding knowledge in organizations as a valuable strategic asset and trying to employ information and communication technology to capture and leverage knowledge to gain competitive advantage for organizations. These mainstream KM perspectives have called forth sharp criticism by some researchers who argue that KM is nonsense and is not different from information management. After reviewing previous KM perspectives and KM models, this paper discusses the key issues concerning knowledge, and the difference between knowledge seeker and knower. Based on the characteristics of knowledge and learning in workplace, the authors introduce a new concept into KM: knowledge seeking, and propose a new KM cycle, arguing that knowledge seeking, as a learning process, is the crucial part in knowledge management. This conceptual paper, providing a new perspective for organizations implementing knowledge management, enhances our understanding and development of KM research and practice.