Identifying Knowledge Management Processes in Futures Research

Abstract

Governments and organizations utilize Knowledge Management to create, share, use, and manage their knowledge to gain competitive and strategic advantages. They also use Futures Research techniques, such as Foresight, technology assessment, and technological forecasting, to comprehend the forces that shape the future and consequently affect them. Despite Knowledge Management and Futures Research being two distinct subjects, they support decision-making processes and help people make the right decisions, sharing unexplored similarities. However, there is a lack of understanding regarding the relationship between Knowledge Management and Futures Research, the integration of Futures Research techniques to support Knowledge Management processes within organizations, and how specific Futures Research techniques align with different knowledge dimensions. A brief search showed us that academic literature that combines knowledge from both areas is quite scarce. By identifying the similarities between Knowledge Management and Futures Research, this work aims to demonstrate how to apply Futures Research techniques to Knowledge Management processes, particularly in the SECI (Socialization, Externalization, Combination, and Internalization) knowledge creation and conversion model. Therefore, this study analyzes 53 Futures Research techniques, such as Scenarios, Brainstorming, Expert Panels, Delphi, and Bibliometrics, among others, to establish a relationship between Knowledge Management and Futures Research. The proposal also includes exploring the relationship between different Futures Research techniques and the four knowledge conversion dimensions according to the SECI model, providing justification for how Futures Research techniques can be helpful for knowledge conversion activities. With the relationships between Futures Research techniques and Knowledge Management processes established, a framework is provided for further development of practical guidance on how organizations and governments can integrate the implementation of Knowledge Management and Futures Research techniques, particularly with methods that are useful for decisions regarding technological investments. Understanding the relationship between Knowledge Management and Futures Research is expected to provide valuable insights for governments and organizations seeking to improve their decision-making processes through Knowledge Management.