The ISO 30401 knowledge management systems standard – a new framework for value creation and research?

Abstract

PurposeThe article reviews major developments in the literature on knowledge management and intellectual capital management. It provides a description and visualization of the structure and content of the ISO 30401 and critically benchmarks its clauses against comprehensive taxonomies from the literature.Design/methodology/approach2018 saw the release of the ISO 30401 Knowledge Management Systems Standard, a type A regulation which may serve as a basis for certification. It builds on and integrates a broad and conceptually diverse literature on knowledge resources (e.g. intellectual capital theory, knowledge management theory). This article aims to show how the management systems standard relates to the literature it is built on and provides directions for its further operationalization by certification bodies and implementation by managers.FindingsThe ISO 30401 successfully integrates a diverse body of literature in a broadly applicable cross-industry standard. To operationalize and implement it, certification bodies and managers should build on empirical evidence of “what works,” taking into account market characteristics as well as organizational properties. Further research should support the implementation of the standard by developing KM measurement frameworks and context-specific studies of KM tools and methods.Originality/valueThis article is the first to systematically compare the ISO 30401 to the underlying theory. This paper uncovers avenues for research and makes suggestions for the standard's operationalization in practice.

Does policy enhance collaborative-opportunistic behaviours? Looking into the intellectual capital dynamics of subsidized industry–university partnerships

“…Future studies should also explore the implementation of mixed measures (objective and subjective) to understand better the influence of behaviours on the contribution of IC inputs on partnerships' outcomes. It also implies extending the analysis of control mechanisms by combining knowledge management and innovation (Del Giudice and Maggioni, 2014;Bornemann et al, 2021;Pawlowsky et al, 2021). The fourth limitation is related to the unit of analysis.…”

Should knowledge management in organizations be rebranded?

“…This approach relies on the effective extraction of existing knowledge, while developing new knowledge, to realize the strategy and business objectives of the organization. Out of a desire to support value creation from knowledge, the International Standards Organization (ISO) published in 2018 the ISO 30401 KM Systems Standard (Pawlowsky et al , 2021). In doing so, the standard anchored the name “KM” among the professionals at the international level, and it has become a common term as part of the lexicon of organizational speak.…”

The identification and classification of contributing factors to technical knowledge valuation at the related commercialisation level using the hierarchical analysis

“…It is proved that the proposed holistic approach to R&D products' evaluation for commercialisation is multifunctional (Chukhray et al, 2022). Pawlowsky et al (2021) stated that value creation relies on market characteristics and the organisational characteristics of the product or service. In a study on banks' branding, Melovi c et al (2021) stated that more impact on the brand valuation of banks leads to greater profitability and increased revenue.…”