Academics and business professionals are currently showing a significant interest in understanding the
management of knowledge and the roles to be played herein by information and communication technology
(ICT). In this paper we take a closer look at one of the primary issues raised when supporting the management
of knowledge how to understand the role of knowledge classification and codification as means for further
organisational learning and innovation. Two manufacturing cases are analysed using particular perspectives
from current theories on classification, the management of knowledge and organisational innovation. It is
concluded that a more complex understanding of the interplay between cognitive and community models for
knowledge management as informed by research on social processes of classification can inform our
understanding of both the role of classification of knowledge for organisational innovation and on the viability
of providing ICT support based on codified knowledge.