Companies are embracing knowledge management in an attempt to offset the damaging effects of downsizing and greater job mobility.

Knowledge management is one of the most fashionable management themes of the decade. Companies are embracing knowledge management in an attempt to offset the damaging effects of downsizing and greater job mobility.

Although the concept of the learning organisation owes much to HR, knowledge management tends instead to be treated as an issue for information systems experts, largely bypassing HR. The challenge for HR professionals is to place knowledge management firmly within an HR framework and to develop the competencies to do so.

This briefing will enable your HR function to make a major contribution to knowledge management. It provides a clear understanding of how HR expertise and approaches can underpin and facilitate knowledge management practices, illustrated by tools, techniques, case studies and policies.

Contents include:

• Executive summary
• Knowledge management and organisational culture
• Acquiring and retaining knowledge
• Rewarding knowledge
• Developing knowledge
• Managing in a knowledge environment
• Case studies