Abstract:

What is knowledge? What does one need to know? How is knowledge created? These questions should lead to an answer as to whether knowledge management is just another new term in modern management science or whether knowledge is of value for strategy and/or creating added value. Processes and tools are presented that are currently used or tested at Daimler-Benz Aerospace in order to comprehend knowledge- intensive markets such as high-tech markets with regard to possible future development and in order to build up the required store of internal knowledge. Knowledge is more than just information and is basically linked to individual persons. At the strategic level this means we are confronted by questions about content. What do we wish to know and to what purpose? Knowledge is the basic resource for the strategic alignment of any company with knowledge development and innovation occupying a central position in knowledge management. How can the process of knowledge development and utilisation be developed and filled with life so that competitive advantages can be drawn from it?