The Difference that Makes a Difference: Distinguishing between Knowledge Management and Information Management in the U.S. Army

Abstract

In today's interconnected society there has been a push for the use of technology to increase the speed of information blurring the distinction between knowledge and information. This monographs illustrates the issues with knowledge and the common misconceptions that the United States Army is experiencing with Knowledge Management as an emerging concept. Knowledge Management has been introduced into doctrine over the past five years; however the concepts are being confused and causing issues in understanding of what knowledge and information management encompass. The terminology for information and knowledge in doctrine is not consistent which causes the words to be used without precision. Additionally, the Army is trying to grapple with the changing hierarchical structure to one of a networked hierarchy, through modularity, further causing confusion. The importance of knowledge management is the human processes that facilitate the transfer of knowledge in the current and future cultures. Knowledge management is not a specific system or piece of technology, it is a human process.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 19, 2011
Accession Number
ADA545232

Entities

People

  • Patrick K. Sullivan

Organizations

  • United States Army Command and General Staff College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • C4I
  • Engineered Resilient Systems
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Classification
  • Command And Control
  • Commerce
  • Community Of Practice
  • Doctrine
  • Hierarchies
  • Information Systems
  • Instructors
  • Knowledge Management
  • Organization Theory
  • Organizational Structure
  • Precision
  • Schools
  • Situational Awareness
  • Students
  • United States
  • War Colleges

Fields of Study

  • Computer science

Readers

  • Geospatial Intelligence and Artificial Intelligence Analytics
  • Joint Military Operations and Doctrine.
  • Strategic Security Studies