Towards a Unified Theory of Knowledge Management (KM)

The Unified Theory of Knowledge Management (KM) answers decade long calls for a general model of KM by identifying one based on required KM competencies. Operationalized, KM is knowledge accumulating, organizing, using, reasoning about, representing, storing, and communicating knowledge. The authors conducted exploratory research using systems engineering requirements definition and grounded theory concepts to identify and relate terms in looking for commonality across KM generalizations. Observations led to examining educational objectives and guidelines which supported the need for KM and helped understand KM more generically through its competency requirements. This paper reviews the process that led to identifying the need for a KM competency term and how the three KM competencies were discovered. Included is a graphic showing integrated KM activities based on the sub-elements of two competencies, an illustrative list of KM mediums, and a discussion of how the theory can be validated and verified.