TY - JOUR
T1 - Bridging the theory-practice gap: a genealogical perspective on the most debated knowledge management challenges
AU - Wolf, Patricia
AU - Madsen, Erik Skov
AU - Steppe, Jessica Annalena
PY - 2024/7/27
Y1 - 2024/7/27
N2 - To address the theory-practice gap in knowledge management research, we identify the most persistent knowledge management challenges and proposed solutions over the past three and a half decades (1991–2023). Based on a systematic literature review combining a bibliometric and a qualitative content analysis, we conceptualise a genealogic (evolutionary) model to map the historical development path of three reappearing root challenges: (1) organisational antecedents to implement a knowledge-sharing culture (2) use of ICT for knowledge transfer and (3) knowledge conversion. We find that while topics 1 and 2 are established topics, topic 3 constantly renews itself by merging with innovation-related research streams. Further, our analysis reveals the general principle that the theory-practice gap opens at the end of the inception phase of a new challenge theme. We conclude that implementing artificial intelligence in knowledge management processes and fostering knowledge creation for sustainable development are the key topics for future research.
AB - To address the theory-practice gap in knowledge management research, we identify the most persistent knowledge management challenges and proposed solutions over the past three and a half decades (1991–2023). Based on a systematic literature review combining a bibliometric and a qualitative content analysis, we conceptualise a genealogic (evolutionary) model to map the historical development path of three reappearing root challenges: (1) organisational antecedents to implement a knowledge-sharing culture (2) use of ICT for knowledge transfer and (3) knowledge conversion. We find that while topics 1 and 2 are established topics, topic 3 constantly renews itself by merging with innovation-related research streams. Further, our analysis reveals the general principle that the theory-practice gap opens at the end of the inception phase of a new challenge theme. We conclude that implementing artificial intelligence in knowledge management processes and fostering knowledge creation for sustainable development are the key topics for future research.
KW - Knowledge management challenges
KW - bibliometric analysis
KW - genealogic perspective
KW - historical development path
KW - qualitative content analysis
KW - theory-practice gap
U2 - 10.1080/14778238.2024.2379922
DO - 10.1080/14778238.2024.2379922
M3 - Journal article
SN - 1477-8238
JO - Knowledge Management Research & Practice
JF - Knowledge Management Research & Practice
ER -