Information and knowledge management for sustainable forestry.

Abstract

Institutional information and knowledge management often involves a range of systems and technologies to aid decisions and produce reports. Construction of a knowledge system organizing hierarchy facilitates exploration of the interrelationships among knowledge management, inventory and monitoring, statistics and modelling, and policy. Two case studies illustrate these interrelationships in institutional settings: (i) the FA0 National Forest Assessment process; and (ii) knowledge management in supply chains. The development and adoption of knowledge management systems in institutions can be improved by considering the principles and studies generated by the social sciences, e.g. innovation diffusion, escalation of commitment and agency theory. Still, many of these principles and practices -as they relate to sustainability -have evolved primarily in the context of the developed world. Broader, more inclusive perspectives are needed as we mesh traditional ,_Western thinking with the insights, cultures, practices and limitations of the developing world.