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8 Chapter 1

Multidisciplinary Nature of KM
Knowledge management draws upon a vast number of diverse fi elds such as:
• Organizational science
• Cognitive science
• Linguistics and computational linguistics
• Information technologies such as knowledge-based systems, document and informa-
tion management, electronic performance support systems, and database technologies
• Information and library science
• Technical writing and journalism
• Anthropology and sociology
• Education and training
• Storytelling and communication studies
• Collaborative technologies such as Computer-Supported Collaborative Work (CSCW)
and groupware as well as intranets, extranets, portals, and other web technologies

The above is by no means an exhaustive list but serves to show the extremely varied
roots that KM grew out of and continues to be based upon today. Figure 1.1 illustrates
some of the diverse disciplines that have contributed to KM.
The multidisciplinary nature of KM represents a double-edged sword: on the one
hand, it is an advantage as almost anyone can fi nd a familiar foundation upon which
to base an understanding and even practice of KM. Someone with a background in

Database Technologies
Help Desk Systems Collaborative Technologies
Organizational Science
Cognitive Science
Electronic Performance
Support Systems
Technical Writing KM Disciplines

Artificial Intelligence Document and
Information Management
Web Technologies
Decision Support Systems
Library and Information Sciences
Figure 1.1
Interdisciplinary nature of knowledge management