Paul Corney, an experienced leader in change with over 50 years across diverse industries, shares his insights on knowledge management. He discusses the importance of establishing universal standards for KM, highlighting his role in developing ISO KM Standards and the CILIP accreditation. Cultural influences on KM practices and the power of storytelling are intertwined in his anecdotes from Asia and Iran. He also emphasizes the necessity of integrating KM education within library sciences and business disciplines to adapt to evolving industry needs.
Knowledge management's evolution from misunderstanding to a recognized field is essential for achieving corporate legitimacy and standardized practices.
Cultural contexts significantly influence the effectiveness of knowledge sharing, necessitating tailored KM solutions that respect diverse cultural attitudes and norms.
Deep dives
The Evolution of Knowledge Management
Knowledge management (KM) has undergone significant transformation since its early days, evolving from a misunderstood concept to a more established field. Initially, during the mid-90s, many viewed KM solely as information management, leading to confusion about its purpose and applications. The speaker emphasizes the necessity for KM to gain corporate legitimacy akin to established functions like human resources, which have recognized bodies and clear career paths. There is a sense that despite advancements, KM still struggles to carve out a recognized identity and framework that includes standardized practices and accreditations.
The Importance of Standards and Accreditation
Establishing standards and accreditation in KM has been discussed as a crucial step towards legitimizing the profession. Currently, accreditation serves as a pathway for knowledge managers to develop their skills and gain recognition in the industry, akin to other professional fields. The speaker points out the success of ISO standards in framing KM practices, arguing that accreditation should reflect experience and expertise rather than just examination results. This allows for a richer representation of knowledge management competencies that are beneficial across varied organizational structures.
Cultural Impact on Knowledge Management
The implementation and understanding of KM practices can greatly differ across cultural contexts, affecting how knowledge sharing is perceived and operationalized. The speaker shares experiences from diverse regions, noting that cultural attitudes can influence willingness to engage in knowledge sharing, such as the hierarchical norms in some Asian cultures that discourage public speaking. Additionally, the podcast highlights that knowledge management solutions need to be culturally aware to encourage participation. Addressing these cultural differences can ensure that KM practices are more effectively integrated into organizations.
Narrative and Storytelling in Knowledge Management
Narrative plays a significant role in making knowledge management relatable and applicable within organizations. The podcast mentions the effectiveness of using storytelling as a tool to encourage knowledge sharing and to humanize the data. Instances from the healthcare industry and other sectors illustrate how evaluating projects solely based on metrics can overlook critical insights that narratives can provide. This underscores the idea that integrating narrative methods into KM practices can improve understanding and engagement in knowledge initiatives across various fields.
The golden path of knowledge management and the role of CILIP, (CILIP is the UK library and information association.) in leading the cause of global standardization. Paul J. Corney is a cornucopia of knowledge and experience in leading change.
ttps://www.cilip.org.uk/
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Paul's career spans more than 5 decades: in that time he has maintained a portfolio of activities working at senior and board level across a range of industries and geographical locations: finance; development / 3rd sector; energy; government/public sector; information; knowledge management; law; leisure; retail; and software.
Commenting on this appointment:
"In 2017 in 'Navigating the Minefield: A Practical KM Companion' I noted inter alia that to achieve corporate legitimacy, KM professionals would benefit from the introduction of a set of universal standards plus recognized practitioner led accreditation. I was pleased to have been a member of the BSI Committee that contributed to the development and publication of the ISO KM Standards 30401 and the CILIP project board overseeing the development of the Knowledge Management Chartership accreditation.
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Edwin K. Morris is the president and founder of Pioneer Knowledge Services which produces this educational program, Because You Need To Know. It is part of the mission to educate and bring awareness around knowledge management and nonprofit concerns.
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