Background and Foreground Knowledge in knowledge management

Abstract

In this paper we propose a new dynamic model for knowledge in knowledge management. To analyze problems and relevant restrictions, two well-accepted knowledge representation models are discussed. The new model, Executable Knowledge Model (EKM), can distinguish foreground and background knowledge and it defines a determinable boundary for executable and nonexecutable knowledge in knowledge management. This model provides strong executable and testable properties of knowledge in knowledge management to guide further knowledge management development. J. P. T. Mo et al. (eds.), Global Engineering, Manufacturing and Enterprise Networks

A manufacturing model to enable knowledge maintenance in decision support systems

“…'Me explicit knowledge corresponds to formalised knowledge with a known syntax and a known semantics. This type of knowledge transfer is relatively easy, without knowledge lost (Zheng et al 2001). Explicit knowledge is not too difficult to identify and structure and the majority of the current decision support systems based on knowledge use explicit knowledge .…”

“…This type of knowledge corresponds to personal experience, instinctive ability, and other skills that are difficult to structure (Nickols 2000). Tacit knowledge plays a substantial role in decision making for the product realisation process because it is the sum of a person's experience and training, as a consequence it is difficult to provide information technology support for it (Mills and Goossenaerts 2001), (Zheng et al 2001). Tacit knowledge is the context of innovation and the breakthrough innovations result from the harnessing of tacit knowledge possessed by individual and project teams (Mascitelli 2000).…”

“…Implicit knowledge has a bridge property that links together the explicit and tacit components. In other words, implicit knowledge is a type of knowledge considered as a link between explicit and tacit used as a link in a knowledge management system (Zheng et al 2001). Figure 2-3 shows the relationships between explicit, tacit and implicit knowledge using an executable knowledge model.…”

“…For example a pilot can learn from an Olympic diver the twists, tumbles and pikes. The pilot can try to perform afterwards the movements of the diver using his airplane (Zheng et al 2001). Workers can discover new knowledge studying and analysing similar processes.…”

“…(Mills and Goossenaerts 2001)... ll Figure 2-2 Knowledge hierarchy (Bender and Fish 2000) . Figure 2-3 Executable knowledge model (Zheng et al 2001) . Manufacturing companies utilise large amounts of knowledge to produce products.…”