A resource‐based view of organizational knowledge management systems

Abstract

With the advent of knowledge management, intellectual capital is gaining increasing recognition as the only true strategic asset. This has led to a proliferation of organizational knowledge management systems (OKMS), for managing intellectual capital. This article addresses the question: “Are OKMS strategic assets within the context of the resource‐based view?” Two views of OKMS emerge – the technical and the socio‐technical view. An analysis of OKMS from each perspective is presented and their resultant implications on the competitive position of the firm explained. The findings indicate that, for a firm to reap long‐term strategic benefit from OKMS, it should adapt the broader socio‐technical view when developing, implementing and managing its OKMS. This suggests that firms need to consider not only the technology but also the organizational infrastructure, the organizational culture and the people who form the OKMS, and the knowledge that is to be processed by these OKMS.