Management and Knowledge Management Book Reviews
by Dr. Moria Levy

Prominent figures such as Nonaka, Davenport, Prusak, David, and Snowden are frequently cited in the knowledge management discipline. Collison and Purcell, former colleagues in the knowledge management team at British Petroleum (BP), have authored a book deserving careful examination and reading despite the authors' anonymity. The duo outlines practical methodologies for knowledge management in a well-written and easily understandable book enriched with examples from their experiences at BP...

As an ordinary individual, I've recently encountered the concept of WEB 2.0 quite frequently. As someone deeply involved in knowledge management for almost a decade, I find this phenomenon particularly intriguing. Has WEB 2.0 cracked the code that we, knowledge managers, tirelessly strive to decipher daily? How is it that there is such vibrant participation from people who willingly share knowledge and contribute their experiences daily? What does Web 2.0 entail, and how does it impact us in...

In November 2005, the father of management theory and one of its luminaries, Peter Drucker, passed away. Renowned for seamlessly blending academic and theoretical knowledge, Drucker held diverse roles as a lecturer, management consultant, "guru," and prolific author. He left behind a legacy of 39 books and hundreds of articles, having lived to 96. Most knowledge managers are familiar with Drucker's groundbreaking work, "Management Challenges in the 21st Century," published in 1999. In this...

Learning from experience poses inherent challenges as it necessitates scrutinizing existing beliefs and values, validating them, and rectifying misconceptions. We must introspect and acknowledge the blind spots where we were previously oblivious. Despite expanding experience through this process, individuals often adapt their experiences to align with pre-existing beliefs, hindering genuine learning. Selective hearing, seeing, and feeling, coupled with a tendency to conform to expectations,...

Writing a research-based book is a time-consuming process that spans several years. The decision to embark on such research is rooted in a phenomenon or hypothesis, necessitating a well-established reality as a starting point. The study involves meticulous planning, execution, collection of complementary research data, structuring, writing, editing, and distribution. In fields like the Internet, the resulting book often ceases to represent the current reality by the time of its release....

The association that typically comes to mind when studying is linked to the school period, university, or other formal courses and training. Indeed, a significant portion of our early years, starting from age six, is dedicated to such structured environments. However, the learning process persists even beyond high school and university completion. This ongoing learning occurs outside the traditional classroom, primarily through experience. Kolb's book revolves around the concept of...

Most knowledge management enthusiasts have heard of NONAKA, one of the pioneers and leaders in knowledge management. Less known is his Swedish colleague, GUNNAR HEDLUND. Both of them wrote articles on knowledge management as early as 1987. A joint article they co-authored in 1993 - "Models of KM in the West and Japan" - included the foundational principles upon which NONAKA and Takeuchi wrote their 1995 book " The Knowledge-Creating Company. " The article we are currently discussing was...

In 1995, shortly after Peter Drucker coined the term "knowledge workers," the exploration of knowledge management and development began to unfold, marked by Nonaka and Takeuchi’s masterpiece, "The Knowledge-Creating Company." The authors provide insight into Japanese business culture and present a model that addresses a question that has intrigued many: Why have Japanese companies achieved success? What sets them apart from Western societies, leading to positive bottom-line results? Notably,...

Since the release of Nonke and Takeuchi's seminal work, "The Knowledge-Creating Company," in 1995, numerous individuals have grappled with a shared concern—how to cultivate knowledge within an organization and formulate a successful strategy. In a world centered on knowledge, many concur that it plays a pivotal role in the overall equation. Professor W. Chan Kim and Professor Renee Mauborn's 2004 book, akin to Nonke and Takeuchi's, systematically outlines methods for developing knowledge that...

Knowledge management  does not function in isolation. It is widely acknowledged that there are no one-size-fits-all solutions in this domain, and each solution must be customized to the organization in which it is being implemented. Organizations within the same professional field differ in values, organizational culture, sharing practices, process nature, computing environment, and computing habits. Therefore, despite apparent similarities, the nature and nuances of solutions and the...

In 1979, Watzlawick, Weakland, and Fish published their classic book "Change: Principles of Problem Formation and Problem Resolution." Despite its seemingly peculiar title, the book goes beyond a mere name, exploring essential change methods. This article will review the authors' main change methods and analyze how these principles contribute to knowledge management. Watzlawick, Weakland, and Fish are practitioners at the Institute for Mental Health's Rapid Care Center specializing in...

Peter Senge's 1990 book The Fifth Discipline has unquestionably earned its status as a classic in management literature. The Financial Times has honored it as one of the five most excellent business books ever. At the same time, The Harvard Business Review regards it as a foundational work in management literature over the last seventy-five years. Deming, a Total Quality Management (TQM) movement pioneer, acknowledged learning significantly from the book, endorsing it as an excellent starting...