Rethinking Knowledge Management: From Knowledge Objects to Knowledge

In this review of Rethinking Knowledge Management: From Knowledge Objects to Knowledge Processes the authors reframe how organizations and societies approach knowledge. Intended for librarians, information professionals, and social scientists, the book argues for shifting attention from static knowledge objects to dynamic knowledge processes that emphasize human expression, communication, and learning. The bottom line: this is a thought-provoking, cross-disciplinary collection that challenges conventional information acquisition models and offers practical conceptual tools for rethinking how knowledge is created and shared.

Key Features

• New framework: Introduces the concept of knowledge processes to move beyond traditional ideas of knowledge as fixed objects and to highlight dynamic organizational practices.
• Interdisciplinary perspectives: Brings together contributors from varied disciplines to connect insights across social sciences, library studies, and management theory.
• Practical focus: Emphasizes the creative potential of human expression and communication for economic planning and personal meaning, rather than only technical information processing.
• Theoretical depth: Reasserts fundamental insights of knowledge management while proposing alternate lines of inquiry for researchers and practitioners.
• Post-industrial context: Discusses knowledge acquisition, generation, sharing, and management tailored to a changing, post-industrial environment.

Who It's For

This book is best suited to information professionals, academic researchers, and policy makers who want a critical, conceptual reassessment of knowledge management and its social implications. Librarians and library managers interested in the broader theoretical landscape will find useful frameworks to inform practice and strategy.

Readers seeking a step-by-step how-to manual, software evaluations, or narrowly technical guides to implementing knowledge systems should look elsewhere; this volume is primarily analytic and interdisciplinary rather than prescriptive or technical.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Broad interdisciplinary scope that connects multiple fields to enrich understanding of knowledge work.
• Strong emphasis on human communication and learning as central to successful knowledge management.
• Thoughtful critique of traditional information acquisition models, useful for researchers and strategists.

Cons

• Not a practical implementation guide; readers seeking tactical steps for systems deployment may be disappointed.

Specifications

Our Verdict

Rethinking Knowledge Management is a valuable, conceptually rich collection for anyone interested in reframing how knowledge is understood and managed. It offers significant theoretical payoff for librarians, academics, and policy makers who want to prioritize human communication and learning. While it does not provide technical implementation steps, its interdisciplinary perspective makes it good value for readers seeking ideas that can inform long-term strategy and research.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this book provide practical implementation guides?
No. The volume focuses on theory and interdisciplinary perspectives rather than step-by-step technical guidance for systems implementation.

Who are the primary contributors?
The work is edited by Claire R. McInerney and Ronald E. Day and includes contributions from authors across several disciplines in information science and social studies.

Is this book suitable for library managers?
Yes. Library managers interested in conceptual frameworks for knowledge work and organizational strategy will find the discussions useful for informing policy and practice.