Metaphors for knowledge

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1 Metaphors for knowledge How metaphors direct the way we manage knowledge in organizations Daan Andriessen INHOLLAND University of professional education Hoofddorp 2007 Daan Andriessen

INHOLLAND University of professional education

2 Premises Conceptual Metaphor Theory (Lakoff & Johnson, 1980, 1999) Use of metaphor is largely unconscious Metaphors direct our thinking Knowledge as abstract concept is primarily conceptualized by metaphors 2007 Daan Andriessen 2/12

Metaphors direct our thinking Knowledge as abstract

3 Conceptualisations of knowledge Knowledge as as an an object object Locate knowledge Recognize knowledge Move Move knowledge Exchange knowledge Knowledge as as thoughts or or feelings Articulate knowledge Verbalize knowledge Externalize knowledge Internalize knowledge Knowledge as as a resource Apply Apply knowledge Use Use knowledge Store Store knowledge Accumulate knowledge Knowledge as as organism Growing knowledge Nurturing knowledge Knowledge develops Thingification of knowledge 2007 Daan Andriessen 3/12

Internalize knowledge Knowledge as as a resource Apply Apply knowledge Use Use knowledge Store Store knowledge Accumulate

4 Knowledge in West and East Western IC literature Knowledge as a thing (controlled and manipulated) Knowledge as information (codified, stored, accessed and used) Knowledge as resource (created, stored, shared, located, or moved) Knowledge as capital that can be valued, capitalized and measured Knowledge as thoughts or feelings can be made explicit, communicated and shared Asian philosophy Knowledge as spirit and wisdom Knowledge as unfolding truth Unity of universe and human self Unity of knowledge and action Knowledge as illumination or enlightenment of an underlying, deeper reality Knowledge as essence-less and nothingness Knowledge creation as a continuous, self-transcending process 2007 Daan Andriessen 4/12

communicated and shared Asian philosophy Knowledge as spirit and wisdom Knowledge as unfolding truth Unity of universe and human self Unity of knowledge and action Knowledge as

5 Problem statement What is the effect of metaphors on the discourse about knowledge management in organizations? Do different metaphors produce different conversations? Are there differences in metaphors preferred by and used by employees vs. managers? Can we improve the quality of the discourse by introducing new metaphors? 2007 Daan Andriessen 5/12

Are there differences in metaphors preferred by and used by employees vs. managers?

6 Contrasting metaphors Knowledge as water Knowledge as love 2007 Daan Andriessen 6/12

7 Design of the exercise Employees Knowledge as Water Diagnosis and development of solutions Working in teams of 4 Gathering results plenary session Knowledge as Love Diagnosis and development of solutions Working in teams of 4 Gathering results plenary session Vote (2 votes per person) Questionnaire Personal reflection on: 1.Water metaphor 2.Love metaphor 3.Best metaphor 4.Experience Managers Knowledge as Water Diagnosis and development of solutions Working in teams of 4 Gathering results plenary session Knowledge as Love Diagnosis and development of solutions Working in teams of 4 Gathering results plenary session Vote (2 votes per person) Questionnaire Personal reflection on: 1.Love metaphor 2.Water metaphor 3.Best metaphor 4.Experience 2007 Daan Andriessen 7/12

Experience Managers Knowledge as Water Diagnosis and development of solutions Working in teams of 4 Gathering results plenary session Knowledge as Love Diagnosis and development of solutions

8 Findings: Diagnosis Kennis stroomt niet Gescheiden meren van kennis Er stroomt veel kennis maar het is ongekanaliseerd Dijken houden de verspreiding van kennis tegen Waterhoofd -> mensen die kennis voor zichzelf houden Kennis wordt niet gekoesterd Er is onvoldoende onderling vertrouwen Onbeantwoorde liefde Rivaliteit en gedwongen huwelijk Aantrekkelijke, eenzame singles Inteelt We praten aleen over het trouwboekje. Onze relatieproblemen worden niet besproken 2007 Daan Andriessen 8/12

gekoesterd Er is onvoldoende onderling vertrouwen Onbeantwoorde liefde Rivaliteit en gedwongen huwelijk Aantrekkelijke,

9 Findings: Solutions Verbindingskanalen aanleggen Kennis doorspoelen / verversen Voordat mensen weg gaan kennis aftappen In kaart brengen welke kennis er is Sluiswachters aanstellen Watermanagement Kennis koesteren Mensen ruimte en tijd geven voor kennis delen Zelf je partner jiezen Meer daten Inhuren van een relatietherapeut Partnerruil / job-rotation Kennis niet managen en systematiseren 2007 Daan Andriessen 9/12

koesteren Mensen ruimte en tijd geven voor kennis delen Zelf je partner jiezen Meer daten Inhuren van

10 Differences between metaphors Knowledge as an object not always at right place Solutions remain abstract To manage and control knowledge Current situation Knowledge as subjective, dynamic, interdependent and emerging Solutions are concrete To facilitate and let unfold Desirable future 2007 Daan Andriessen 10/12

situation Knowledge as subjective, dynamic, interdependent and emerging

11 Differences between hierarchies Employees Managers Facilitate in terms of time, attention, and enjoyment Don t manage and systemize knowledge but humanize organizations Steer, manage and control knowledge Lack of trust In part preference for knowledge as water Preference for knowledge as love 2007 Daan Andriessen 11/12

organizations Steer, manage and control knowledge Lack of trust In part

12 Conclusions The choice of metaphor strongly directs the conversation about KM Knowledge as water: knowledge as a thing that is not always in the right place Knowledge as love: prerequisites for knowledge work Thingification of knowledge provides handles for controlling it and is in the interest of managers Those that determine the metaphors have the power and they can use it for their means KM literature should adopt alternative metaphors to humanize and decontrolize organizations 2007 Daan Andriessen 12/12

for controlling it and is in the interest of managers Those that determine the metaphors have the power and they can use it for

13 slidecast-andriessen-eckm Daan Andriessen

IP-NBM. Copyright Capgemini 2012. All Rights Reserved

IP-NBM. Copyright Capgemini 2012. All Rights Reserved IP-NBM 1 De bescheidenheid van een schaker 2 Maar wat betekent dat nu 3 De drie elementen richting onsterfelijkheid Genomics Artifical Intelligence (nano)robotics 4 De impact van automatisering en robotisering