How to Assess Knowledge Management: Developing a Quantitative Model

In the current century, Information Technology (IT) has changed the knowledge position in enterprises. Knowledge as a critical and strategic resource is a powerful tool for recognizing enterprise leverage in the new world. Systematic management for enterprise knowledge, e.g. new ideas, innovations and patents, has a great impact on business sustainability and growth. Current management interests are also focused their efforts to create, assess and promote knowledge management in enterprises. But the efficiency of these efforts is not recognized. Without assessment of knowledge assets, agile companies can not design and run knowledge promotion programs required for survival in competitive environments in modern economy. For developing knowledge in company, a quantitative model for the assessment of as-is situation and development of knowledge promotion plans, a situational program based on assessment results, business strategy, and core competency is necessary. There is a wide variety of techniques for each step of knowledge management assessment, if considered separately; however, there exists no integrated model to cover thoroughly; in other words, no model is available to lead wise managers towards KM-related goals in enterprises. In an attempt to fill this gap, in this paper, we introduce an assessment model which covers evaluation, and positioning the level of KM in enterprise in quantitative vision.