Knowledge Dissemination
The fourth element of knowledge management is knowledge
dissemination. Unless knowledge is effectively disseminated, the development
impact of knowledge will remain limited. For knowledge dissemination to
be effective it will require the transformation of highly individualized tacit
knowledge into explicit knowledge that can be more widely shared. In an
organization where there is fear of the management or hierarchy, the employees
will have a tendency to keep their knowledge to themselves and share it with
others only cautiously. In cases such as this, management must take the lead in
creating an environment of understanding, cooperation and learning. It should
also encourage knowledge sharing, even if the positive results of doing so are
not readily apparent. Such results can best be measured in the long term.