Information And Knowledge

"Knowledge is information that changes something or somebody - either by becoming grounds for actions, or by making an individual (or an institution) capable of different or more effective action." -- PeterDrucker

"To conceive of knowledge as a collection of information seems to rob the concept of all its life. Knowledge resides in the user and not in the collection. It is how the user reacts to a collection of information that matters." -- West Churchman

Knowledge is the capacity to act, and this is a capacity that "emerges" from the relationships that exist and can be productively facilitated within organizations. Books, databases, lists of "best practices", helpdesks, etc., do not have the capacity to act. They are "information", not "knowledge". They are important, they contribute to and influence our capacity to act. They influence our knowledge; yet they are not knowledge and do not possess or hold knowledge. People do. Organizations do. Although their wording varies somewhat, leaders in fields as seemingly diverse as management science, ecology, cognitive psychology, organizational development, and artificial intelligence have been aligning productively around this perspective for over ten years.

Operating Principles of Knowledge Ecology

1. Each individual has something to contribute from their personal history and current intentions, which will increase the richness and future possibility of their communities. They will be encouraged to contribute that and structures and practices will support that intention.

2. Each individual and corporation is capable of growth and development and the KE community will encourage institutions to create the conditions for that to occur.

3. Increasing social knowledge is the basis for future viability of both institutions and those who participate in them, and we will constantly challenge current knowledge in the pursuit of what is possible.

4. Knowledge is created, renewed and maintained by continuing connection to the larger environment in which it exists and its synergistic and emergent possibilities arise in this way.

5. Freedom is the natural condition for individuals and each individual is responsible for their contribution to the whole and for seeking that which will connect them to the whole.

6. Knowledge compounds when it is engaged with the larger environment. It will be actively shared with others to enhance the possibilities of rapid development and application.

7. Knowledge is situated in individuals, communities and institutions, and each has the right to be given credit for what they create and acknowledged for their contribution.

8. The source of the value of knowledge is use rather than mere possession and we promote the application and use of knowledge.

(Excerpt from Source Document for Knowledge Ecology - http://www.co-i-l.com/coil/knowledge-garden/kd/sourcedoc.shtml.)

Information-collections Other-knowledge

CategoryInformationEngineering CategoryInformation CategoryKnowledge