The Changing Role of Knowledge in Companies: How to Improve Business Performance Through Knowledge

Abstract

Knowledge is widely accepted as strategic resource in companies, but its developmental potential is often not well exploited. Amongst others this is caused by the wide variety of knowledge management concepts, methods and tools challenging company management in selecting the appropriate measure for the specific company situation and developmental goal. Furthermore, knowledge is directly linked to people and knowledge‑based interventions therefore cannot be successful without reaching the company’s employees and getting them involved in any change processes. Against this background the paper discusses the changing role of knowledge in companies and investigates how knowledge‑based change processes in companies need to be launched and run. Based upon this a methodological framework is proposed in order to help companies in identifying their needs for change and purposefully intervening in their processes and eventually to lend them a hand in managing their human resources, selecting technology or changing the organisation. Conclusions open up the view towards future research still required for achieving the goal of methodologically grounded managerial support and guidelines on how to best intervene in company knowledge.