Information Technology for Knowledge Management

As we approach the beginning of the 21 st century, we are beginning to see the emer­ gence of knowledge management as a natural evolution of the focus and importance of quality in the 1980s and reengineering in the I 990s. Quality placed a huge em­ phasis on getting all employees to use their brainpower better. Reengineering em­ phasized the use of technology to streamline business processes and take out costs. With the lessons of quality and reengineering firmly embedded in our everyday op­ erations (continual cost containment and higher quality is a way of life), businesses are now turning their attention to growth. Growth is a common pursuit. Customers are calling for it. Financial markets are calling for it. Employees are asking for it because they want an exciting and stimu­ lating environment in which to work. If a business doesn't grow, it will eventually die because knowledge workers ofthe 21 st century won't want to work with or for a business that's not growing. Skilled workers have plenty of options to choose from as demand for knowledge workers escalates around the world.