People-Focused Knowledge Management: How Effective Decision Making Leads to Corporate Success (Paperback)

"Karl Wiig's understanding of the human and organization dynamics of KM is unsurpassed. His decades of experience and insight are captured in this seminal work."
-- Carla O'Dell, Ph.D., President, APQC

"When it comes to weaving together theory and practice, Karl Wiig is a master! People-Focused Knowledge Management illustrates this beautifully. In it he integrates management philosophy with company specific illustrations, cutting edge epistemological theory with specific knowledge management strategies, and current psychological research with operational details. The depth of Wiig's analysis is unusual, and the fact that he carries the analysis all the way to concrete actions makes this book an especially valuable addition to the growing literature on knowledge management. A feast for the mind as well as the enterprise!"
-- Sue Stafford, Professor and Chair, Department of Philosophy, Simmons College

"Drucker may point the way of a knowledge economy, a knowledge business, a knowledge worker, but Karl Wiig instructs us precisely how to take advantage
of a dynamic knowledge strategy. In 'People-Focused Knowledge Management', he simplifies the complex, makes the concepts relevant and actionable and
leaves the (inevitable) results to us. Finally, we have a resource for creating a compelling knowledge value proposition linking economics, behavior and technology. For decades, his remarkable graphics and
penetrating analysis has been a cornerstone for managerial excellence in all corners of the globe and all sectors of the economy. Few can match his roots and vision in this field; and no one will be disappointed with this newest triumph."
-- Debra Amidon, Founder and CEO, Entovation International, Ltd., and author of "The Innovation Superhighway"

"In People-Focused Knowledge Management, Karl Wiig goes beyond the boundaries of traditional knowledge management and integrates this with recent cognitive research on such diverse subjects as mental models, narrative, conceptual blending, decision theory, and sensemaking, in a very
comprehensive treatment."
-- Steve Denning, author of "The Springboard"

"This book distills the practical and theoretical wisdom of one of the true pionneers in the field of Knowledge Management. The constant interplay of case analysis and fundamental propositions signals the coming of age of the discipline. It takes seasoned practitioners and students alike to the strategic and systematic perspective of
management that is reqired to release the power of knowledge in action."
-- Francisco J. Carrillo, Professor of Knowledge Management, Center for Knowledge Systems, ITESM

"Wiig is uniquely qualified to provide such a thorough and thought-provoking analysis of the role of knowledge and knowledge management in meeting the business challenges that we all face."
"As businesses move their attention from capital to human resources, this book should become required reading for managers and senior executives."
"Melding theory with application, Wiig has created an invaluable ready reference for everyone who works in the knowledge management arena."
-- all 3 above from Alex Bennet; Mountain Quest Institute; Co-Author of Organizational Survival
in the New World: The Intelligent Complex Adaptive System; former ChiefKnowledge Officer of the U.S. Department of the Navy


"A distinguishing feature of Wiig's book is that he makes the tie of KM to employee motivation and commitment as they (can) lead to greater organizational productivity and effectiveness. As well, he uses stories to facilitate learning, so each chapter starts off with a case vignette - and as the book evolves, so does the complexity of the micro-cases to further his points . . . . Karl Wiig is one of the most influential developers in the world of knowledge management, and his latest work is well worth the read."
- The Learning Organisation

The business environment has changed. Sharper competition requires organizations to exhibit greater effectiveness in their operations and services and faster creation of new products and services-all hallmarks of the knowledge economy. Up until now, most of the knowledge management literature has focused on technology, systems, or culture. This book moves to the next stage, to focus on the people-the knowledge workers themselves. Noted expert Karl Wiig synthesizes recent research findings in cognitive science and related fields to describe how people actually work. He focuses on how people learn, remember, make decisions, solve problems and act-in general, how knowledge relates to work behavior. By understanding how people work, managers can improve effectiveness to gain competitive advantage.

· First book to connect cognitive science with knowledge management
· Karl Wiig has worldwide name recognition as thought leader
· Clearly written for professionals with charts and checklists