This primary text serves as a complete introduction to the subject of Knowledge Management (KM). It incorporates:

• technical and social aspects;

• concepts and principles as well as practical examples;

• traditional KM approaches and emerging topics such as social networks, Web 2.0, and open innovation.

The book’s main focus is to show students how KM impacts organizations and individuals, and steps that should be taken to maximize benefits, including directions for how to select, develop, and evaluate KM systems. Unlike other texts in the field, this book enhances the conventional exposition of KM with an in-depth discussion of the technologies used to facilitate the management of knowledge in large and small organizations. It features numerous case studies and vignettes describing practical applications of KM initiatives at leading firms and government organizations, including details such as system architecture. Written by two recognized researchers in the field, the book makes extensive use of the latest developments and examples from KM.

"A comprehensive coverage of KM, including the explication and connection of the human and the technical side of the discipline so necessary for success now and in the future. The book is rich in information and detail, and is very clearly written with many good examples and illustrations. Congratulations to the authors!" — from the Foreword by Cyrus F. (Chuck) Gibson, Center for Information Systems Research, MIT (*)