Knowledge management (KM) has often been identified as one of the most important challenges for sustained organizational success. A number of theoretical models and practical projects to improve KM have been developed, but were unsatisfactory and took a general approach while neglecting a specific implementation process for KM. This paper presents a systematic implementation process for a KM initiative based on a needs analysis, which was conducted in an international biotechnological company. The implementation process comprises three phases: Diagnosis of KM problems and goal setting of a specific intervention; design and development of this intervention; and rollout of the intervention. The phases comprises three empirical studies: a needs analysis (study 1), a study on design and development (study 2), and an effect analysis after the rollout (study 3). Results of study 1 show that there are needs for improving the documentation, communication and utilization of knowledge about specific expertise of individual employees and experiences with projects. To fulfil these requirements it was decided to design and develop an expert finding system "corporate yellow pages" (study 2). Finally the paper will give an outlook on the effects of corporate yellow pages concerning the utilization, acceptance, individual and organizational effects (study 3).
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