What is integral knowledge management and why do we need it? How the spiral dynamics model can help us overcome polarized perspectives on knowledge management within organisations

Authors

  • Johannes Schunter Evangelisches Werk für Diakonie und Entwicklung e.V., Diakonie Deutschland | Bread for the World | Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe.

Keywords:

Knowledge Management, Integral KM, Spiral Dynamics, Integral Theory, Integral, Wilber

Abstract

This article proposes a novel approach to knowledge management (KM) based on the Spiral Dynamics (SD) model. It posits that some of the key challenges of KM in organisations stem from the fact that different people in organisations are operating from different worldviews and subsequently different understandings of what knowledge is and how to adequately handle it. The article first identifies five worldviews in KM: The magic view (knowledge provides identity and belonging), the hero view (knowledge is power), the absolutistic view (knowledge is order and truth), the modern view (new knowledge is the driver of success) the pluralistic view (everyone’s knowledge is precious). Each worldview has its own principles, motivations, and shadow sides, and each has something to offer to support KM initiatives in different contexts. This article argues that a sixth, integral view of KM (knowledge is complex, multi-faceted and always changing) which draws on the strengths of all other worldviews can address the frictions and conflicts that often arise in organisations with diverse perspectives on KM. By embracing an integral approach, KM practitioners can create more inclusive and adaptable KM initiatives that better serve the needs of all stakeholders.

Author Biography

Johannes Schunter, Evangelisches Werk für Diakonie und Entwicklung e.V., Diakonie Deutschland | Bread for the World | Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe.

Johannes Schunter has been working in various knowledge management and innovation roles with the United Nations Development Programme for 15 years. Today, he is based in Berlin as Head of Knowledge Management for Evangelisches Werk für Diakonie und Entwicklung e.V., Diakonie Deutschland | Bread for the World | Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe. He also manages his own KM advisory service.

References

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Published

2023-10-19

Issue

Vol. 18 No. 1 (2024)

Section

Tools and Methods

License

Copyright (c) 2023 Johannes Schunter

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

The copyright of the articles published in this journal remains the property of the authors. For liability reasons, the title belongs to the Foundation for the Support of the Knowledge Management for Development Journal. The journal is published under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike License. This journal is currently an open access journal as it has a funding model that does not charge readers or their institutions for access. From the BOAI definition [1] of "open access", we support the rights of users to "read, download, copy, distribute, print, search, or link to the full texts of these articles." However, some of the content (2009-2012) is only available on the Taylor and Francis website. Within the next few months, this issue too will become available on the OJS. [1] http://www.earlham.edu/~peters/fos/boaifaq.htm#openaccess