Knowledge may be viewed from several perspectives (1) a state of mind, (2) an object,
(3) a process, (4) a condition of having access to information, or (5) a capability (Alavi
and Leidner, 2001). According to Alavi and Leidner (2001), the perspective on
knowledge as a state of mind focuses on enabling individuals to expand their personal
knowledge and apply it to the organization's needs. Knowledge as an object perspective
posits that knowledge can be viewed as a thing to be stored and manipulated. The process
perspective of knowledge focuses on the applying of expertise.