KM, Innovation, and "Always On" Connectivity

The relationship between knowledge management and innovation is complex and shifting, spanning reuse ("Is reuse in a new context innovation?"), collaboration ("Does collaboration necessarily produce innovative outcomes, or just group think?"), the impact of mobile devices such as phones and PDAs on 24/7 access to people and information ("Is 'always on' better, or does it make you stale?"), and the use of innovative ideas from outside the organization ("Why do we need R&D if we can buy new ideas from outside?").

My previous post on the relationship of KM and innovation provided the starting point for a deep discussion of these issues within APQC's 2008-2009 KM Advanced Working Group. The AWG participants joined together to co-develop models and methods for using KM to innovate and grow in the future. The following organizations contributed expertise and knowledge to the effort:

• Baker Hughes,
• Singapore Ministry of Defense (MINDEF) /Singapore Air Force,
• Petrobras,
• the U.S. Navy, and
• the U.S. Armament Research Development and Engineering Center (ARDEC).

These participants were joined by myself; APQC Executive Director Cindy Hubert; and Larry Prusak, visiting professor at the Copenhagen Business School and senior advisor to NASA and the World Bank.

As the world economy starts to rebound, executive attention will once again return to the need for innovation. To read what the AWG participants had to say about KM and innovation and the leading-edge ideas that emerged from our discussion, download the white paper here.