Activity-based Knowledge Management Systems

This paper explores the design of computerbased systems that support the management of organisational knowledge. The information systems notions of databases and information architectures are extended to the search for a meaningful conceptual structure by which collective knowledge can be supported by existing information technologies. An “architecture” is presented where the key unit of analysis is human activity as proposed by the cultural–historical activity theory. This architecture has the richness of the activity theory philosophy and yet addresses the issues of practical implementation from both the technical and organisational perspectives. The paper articulates the architecture and also reports on a study where its effectiveness was evaluation by a target group. An implementation of the architecture is also introduced.