Managing knowledge transfer by knowledge technologies

This paper is aimed at investigating the proper-ties which should characterize a knowledge technology (KT). that is. a technology suitable to effectively support knowledge management. After an outline of the scientific background and of the main current research tracks on knowledge management, the paper focuses on knowledge transfer, which is analyzed by two main cognitive processes: codification and interpretation. The paper argues that, to define the properties of a KT, it is necessary to analyze the cognitive context in which knowledge transfer takes place. A cognitive approach for knowledge transfer analysis is then proposed to guide the definition of the KT properties, and some examples are discussed focusing on some basic technologies of the Internet. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.