Towards a definition of "functions" in "knowledge management" practice

If 'knowledge management' is to emerge from its currently fragmented and ill-defined state, its academic and practice based proponents must be able to provide some key assertions, guiding frameworks and methodology to guide 'knowledge management' practice. There need not be consensus on these, but they must be able to provide conceptual clarity on areas of agreement and disagreement. This paper provides: (i) a number of 'positional assertions' which are used as definitional statements about the nature of 'knowledge management'; these are used to help derive; (ii) three core functions of 'knowledge management' practice. By doing this, the paper provides: (i) a basis upon which practical guidance on undertaking 'knowledge management' can be based; and (ii) a basis upon which the development of professional standards and activities can start to emerge.