Embedding Knowledge Management Theory in Learning and Teaching Approach

Abstract

The article focuses on the role of management of knowledge can have on organisations and looks at practical knowledge management (KM) practices from industry that can be employed by educational institutions. There is a view that KM is primarily business concept that can provide competitive advantage for commercial organisations. However, the KM processes such as knowledge creation, capture, sharing and use are not exclusive to business; good KM practices can bring benefits to all organisations. While KM is a growing field in almost last 20 years, very little has been written about it in the educational context. This is surprising, considering that education is about the creation and application of knowledge.  Given that higher education institution’s (HEI) priority of developing and creating knowledge, an integrated approach that prioritise KM can be used to underpin university’s organisational processes particularly its learning and teaching approach. This article illustrates how attention to two main perspectives exists in KM field; objectivist perspective and practice-based perspective, can inform the learning and teaching approach; surface and deep approach. The approach of this paper is basically conceptual and descriptive. Drawing from empirical research in UK car manufacturing industry, the article is to address the way in which KM practices are being implemented and elaborates on the need the KM in teaching-learning process. This suggests an integrated approach to provide for a balanced strategy in terms of KM implementation that can be applied in HEI. It is important for educators in HEI to understand how certain KM perspective and influence can lead to different to different learning and teaching strategy. Thus, HEI can realise the potential of KM in order to enhance the learning of students.