Title:	Knowledge Management: An Interdisciplinary Perspective
Author:	Sajjad M Jasimuddin, Aberystwyth University, UK
Publisher:	World Scientific
Place:	Singapore
Year:	2012
Pages:	xxvii, 403
Price:	$ 99.00
ISBN:	9789814271226
Reviewed by:	K.M. Shibu

Assistant Librarian, Central Library, Pondicherry University, Puducherry, India. Email: shibukm123@gmail.com

It can be argued that high potential for synergies between Knowledge Management and other disciplines seems obvious, given the many interrelations and dependencies between these fields. This book attempts to provide some insights on knowledge management, explaining it as an interdisciplinary field so as to establish the argument that this field is not grounded in a specific discipline. In particular, this book will look at a number of issues that successfully bridge the linkage of knowledge management with information management, strategic management, organizational learning and innovation management. The book intends to help readers understand how knowledge management and the other related disciplines can fit together or the apparent synergies between them.

This book is considered to be a stand-alone volume. Specifically, the text is intended to explain the role of knowledge management and present a thorough review of the relevant literature from an interdisciplinary perspective. The book follows a traditional sequencing of topics, and contains 11 chapters in total. Overviews of the key issues to be addressed along with an outline of the book are given below.

Chapter 1 sets the scene for knowledge in an organizational context, which is at the center of the knowledge management discipline. A discussion about what knowledge is from a philosophical point of view and alternative perspectives on organizational knowledge is furnished.

Chapter 2 reviews the key issues that constitute the notion of knowledge management and discusses various facets of the knowledge management process. The importance, for a firm, of management organizational knowledge to gain a competitive advantage has been discussed.

Chapter 3 takes the opportunity to address some of the unresolved operational issues regarding knowledge management. The diverse opinions of the definition of knowledge management are identified, and then the various debates and perspectives on knowledge management and its related activities are discussed.

Chapter 4 focuses on various theories surrounding organizational knowledge that are widely cited in the relevant literature. However, the existing theories have overlooked the role of knowledge extracted from external sources. An attempt has been thus made to identify gaps in the theories of organizational knowledge and then proposes an alternative view of knowledge typology based on its sources.

Chapter 5 presents an overview of the features of the knowledge economy, along with those of agrarian and industrial economies. Moreover, various categories of organizations based on knowledge intensity will be expended so as to clarify the terms “knowledge-based organization”, “knowledge-intensive firm”, “professional service firm” and “knowledge-creating company”.

Chapter 6 attempts to outline the origin of knowledge management in order to establish the argument that the knowledge management field is not derived from a single discipline. Rather, it is grounded in several established disciplines.

Chapter 7 concentrates on the themes and concepts associated with information management, including its origin and strategic role in an organization, so as to understand its connection with knowledge management. The chapter then reviews scholars’ views on the relationship between knowledge management and information management.

Chapter 8 pays attention to the notion of organizational learning, and clarifies the current status of organizational learning concepts through a discussion on its origin, properties and role to enhance and sustain an organization's competitive advantage. The chapter then describes the contradictory views of scholars to address whether knowledge management is a forerunner of organizational learning or vice versa.

Chapter 9 focuses on the concept of strategic management and explores its relationship with knowledge management. The historical development of strategic management, the key topics of strategic management research and its role in organizations are elaborated.

Chapter 10 emphasizes the nation of innovation management so as to establish its connection with knowledge management. The chapter starts with a discussion about various definitions and perspectives of innovation management to reduce any confusion. Moreover, its typology and role in enhancing the competitive advantage of an organization over that of its rivals are discussed.

Chapter 11 looks into the future of knowledge management, taking a critical perspective on the way in which knowledge management is implemented.

Knowledge Management: An Interdisciplinary Perspective is intended for students taking knowledge management courses at the higher education level as well as practitioners who have not taken such courses. It will also be useful for a range of scholars and professionals in other disciplines. The book has been written to set a new standard for knowledge management books.

(Courtesy: Preface of the book)

Author Profile

Shibu KM is working as Assistant Librarian in Pondicherry University, India. He obtained M.Phil Degree in LIS from Delhi University. He started his career from British Council, New Delhi and later he joined Aligarh Muslim University as a faculty. He has an international book and more than 10 research articles published in his professional credit.

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