andriessen eckm 07

Knowledge as Love : Knowledge as Love How Metaphors Direct our Efforts to Manage Knowledge in Organisations Keynote address 8th European Conference on Knowledge Management Consorci Escola Industrial de Barcelona (CEIB), Barcelona, Spain 6-7 September 2007 Dr. Daniel Andriessen INHOLLAND University of professional Education Amsterdam The Netherlands


Lakoff and Johnson (1999) : Lakoff and Johnson (1999)


Slide4 : Create an inventory of knowledge Check where knowledge is located Store important knowledge Improve access to knowledge KNOWLEDGE AS A RESOURCE


Slide5 : I got plenty of time That took three hours He wasted my time This will save time TIME AS A RESOURCE


The TIME ORIENTATION metaphor : The TIME ORIENTATION metaphor PAST FUTURE


Aymara’s use the opposite : Aymara’s use the opposite


MOVING OBSERVER metaphor : MOVING OBSERVER metaphor EVENT 1 EVENT 2 EVENT 3 “will you be staying a long time or a short time?” "how long is your visit?"


MOVING TIME metaphor : MOVING TIME metaphor TIME "the time for action has arrived" "time flies by"


What happened before the Big Bang? : What happened before the Big Bang?


Time traveling : Time traveling


Mapping from source to target : Mapping from source to target Target Domain (time) Source Domain (space) Characteristics of target domain not covered by source domain Characteristics of source domain not used by metaphor metaphorical entailments


Time as a moving object metaphor : Time as a moving object metaphor Time Moving Object “length” “amount” “scarcity” “direction” “origin” “destination” “arrives” “flies by” “speed”


Mapping from sources to target : Mapping from sources to target Target Domain (TIME) Source Domain Source Domain Source Domain Source Domain RESOURCE SPACE


Intermezzo 1: truth does not exist : Intermezzo 1: truth does not exist as direct observation does not exist because people always use concepts to describe reality… as these concepts derive their meaning from metaphor… as half of these metaphors are embodied in our brain and cannot be shut off or altered… as the choice of the other half is too large extent arbitrary… …we will never be able to perfectly describe and understand reality and ego, truth (defined as correspondence with reality) does not exist.


Conceptualisations of knowledge are metaphorical : Conceptualisations of knowledge are metaphorical Knowledge as an object “Locate knowledge” “Recognize knowledge” “Move knowledge” “Exchange knowledge” KNOWLEDGE AS STUFF


Knowledge as Resource metaphor : Knowledge as Resource metaphor Knowledge becomes part of logistic discourse


Knowledge as Assets metaphor : Knowledge as Assets metaphor Knowledge becomes part of accounting discourse


Knowledge as Property metaphor : Knowledge as Property metaphor Knowledge becomes part of legal discourse


There are big differences between the authors : There are big differences between the authors Davenport & Prusak (2000) Nonaka & Takeuchi (1995)


Transformation of entailments require argumentation : Transformation of entailments require argumentation Capital is valuable and important Capital is an asset for the future and not an expenditure Capital can be invested in Capital can be capitalized Capital itself can be invested Capital allows for a return Capital resonates with managers and CFO’s Having more capital is better Capital can be owned Capital can be valued financially Capital often appears on the balance sheet Capital is additive (1+1=2) Capital is a stock Capital can and must be measured and managed √ √ √ √ √ √ √ X X X X X X X


What is wrong with KNOWLEDGE AS STUFF : What is wrong with KNOWLEDGE AS STUFF Knowledge as an object “Locate knowledge” “Recognize knowledge” “Move knowledge” “Exchange knowledge” KNOWLEDGE AS STUFF


Western and Eastern views on knowledge : Western and Eastern views on knowledge Dominant view in the West Knowledge as a thing that can be controlled and manipulated Knowledge as information that can be codified, stored, accessed and used Knowledge as resource that can be created, stored, shared, located, or moved, and that is part of the input-throughput-output system of the organization Knowledge as capital that can be valued, capitalized and measured; that is part of the financial flow and requires an return on investment Dominant view in the East Knowledge as spirit and wisdom Knowledge as unfolding truth Unity of universe and human self Unity of knowledge and action Knowledge as illumination or enlightenment of an underlying, deeper reality Knowledge as essence-less and nothingness (Japan) Knowledge creation as a continuous, self-transcending process


Design of the exercise : Employees Metaphor 1 Gathering results Diagnosis and development of solutions Working in teams of 4 plenary session Metaphor 2 Gathering results Diagnosis and development of solutions Working in teams of 4 plenary session Vote (2 votes per person) Questionnaire Personal reflection Managers Metaphor 1 Gathering results Diagnosis and development of solutions Working in teams of 4 plenary session Metaphor 2 Gathering results Diagnosis and development of solutions Working in teams of 4 plenary session Vote (2 votes per person) Questionnaire Personal reflection Design of the exercise


KNOWLEDGE AS WATER : KNOWLEDGE AS WATER DIAGNOSIS Knowledge does not flow Separate source of knowledge Knowledge is not channeled No dispersion of knowledge Hydrocephalus: people keeping knowledge to themselves SOLUTIONS Build canals Flush out and freshen knowledge Tap knowledge from people leaving Create knowledge map Managers as knowledge channels Knowledge management


KNOWLEDGE AS LOVE : KNOWLEDGE AS LOVE DIAGNOSIS Knowledge is not cherished Lack of trust Unrequited love Rivalry and forced marriages Attractive but lonely singles In-breeding We only talk about our wedding certificate but not about our relationship SOLUTIONS Provide time and space for sharing knowledge Match people’s passions and tasks Go out and date more Hire marriage counselor Partner-swapping Don’t manage and systemize knowledge


Intermezzo 2: problems don't exist : Intermezzo 2: problems don't exist Problems are not phenomena waiting out there in reality to be observed. A problem is a gap between an existing and a preferred situation (Ist and Soll). Both the perception of the existing as the perception of the preferred situation depends on how you prefer to look at it Ergo, a problem is by definition subjective. "a problem is an interpretation of a feeling of discomfort“ (J. Kessels)


KM Metaphor Analysis Scoring Form : KM Metaphor Analysis Scoring Form


Slide29 : What would be the outcome of your research if we see knowledge not at stuff but as love?


Thank You! : Thank You! Dr. Daniel Andriessen Professor of Intellectual Capital INHOLLAND University of Professional Education Amsterdam/ Diemen The Netherlands Daan.andriessen@inholland.nl www.weightlesswealth.com +31-204951719