Knowledge management system generic models and architectures: Enhancing uniformity and interoperability of knowledge management systems

Abstract

Despite Knowledge Management becoming important in creating a competitive advantage for organizations, the use of technology in the area has been haphazard partly due to a scarcity of technological models and architectures. The available models and architectures are inadequate as they are system specific, sector specific or generally lacking in detail and re-usability. This research sought to address the lack of generic technological models and architectures that function as reference points guiding the process of developing Knowledge Management Systems. It was also aimed at addressing the lack of uniformity in defining knowledge management architecture frameworks to increase understand-ability as well as interoperability of knowledge management systems. The research was qualitative and exploratory, with the traditional literature review as the methodology. An extensive traditional literature review was conducted, based on a research framework developed by the researcher. It consisted of looking at the various disciplines contributing to knowledge management, and then narrowed down to the knowledge management systems. Existing models and architectures were also analyzed and critiqued, and various factors and characteristics leading to the development of generic models and architectures for knowledge management systems, were noted. Thirty-eight themes contributing to the development of Knowledge Management Systems were identified from over eighty-eight publications, and these categories were further aggregated into nine core themes. This culminated in the development of the Knowledge Management System Development Model with three main sections, and the Generic Knowledge Management System Architecture based on a Service-Oriented Architecture. The main contribution of this research to the body of knowledge is coming up with a reference point that can be used as a standard or starting point in the development and implementation of knowledge management systems. This reference point is in the form of the generic architecture developed, supported by the developed model.