A cluster analysis of the KM field

Purpose – The main purpose of this study is to review the knowledge management literature from a content-related perspective using cluster analysis. Design/methodology/approach – A critical analysis of previous review articles in KM provided a conceptual framework with nine dimensions. A survey was then administered to 120 KM authors asking them to review which dimensions they considered in their own research. Findings – Three clusters of KM research were identified as follows: the socialization school, the collaboration school, and the codification school. Research limitations/implications – The study does not consider the dimension of strategic versus operational KM issues nor does it consider any non-Anglophonic research. Practical implications – The three identified clusters accrued from the review provide both scholars and practitioners with a more holistic perspective and better understanding of the main thrusts of their KM initiatives. Originality/value – The research is the first systematic and comprehensive review of KM that provides a cluster analysis approach.