Title: The evolutionary trajectory of knowledge management: a historical reflection and reevaluation

Authors: Dag Øivind Madsen; Kåre Slåtten

Addresses: Oslo New University College, Lovisenberggata 13, 0456 Oslo, Norway ' School of Business, University of South-Eastern Norway, Bredalsveien 11, 3511 Hønefoss, Norway

Abstract: Knowledge management (KM) gained significant traction in the 1990s, sparking intense debates about its staying power and future trajectory. This paper reevaluates KM's evolutionary trajectory to determine its relevance and application in contemporary academia and organisational processes. Despite declining public discourse, findings reveal that KM has sustained its presence, evolving into a pivotal subject in specialised research journals and ingraining itself in organisational practices, although often without explicit labelling. The study indicates that KM has transcended its initial status as a management fashion and has solidified its role, underscoring its continued significance and utilisation in various domains. Thus, the essence of KM persists in practice and scholarly inquiry, reflecting its enduring impact and adaptation in the changing landscape of management theories and applications.

Keywords: knowledge management; management concept; management fashion; trajectory; evolution.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPMB.2025.144332

International Journal of Process Management and Benchmarking, 2025 Vol.19 No.3, pp.350 - 379

Received: 24 Sep 2023
Accepted: 28 Sep 2023
Published online: 07 Feb 2025 *

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