Building ontology-based knowledge maps to assist knowledge process outsourcing decisions

Organizational knowledge exists in different types of knowledge retainers. Efforts are being made to preserve this knowledge because of its value to the organization. In this paper we present a methodology for codifying the knowledge of a domain. This methodology is based on an ontology for the domain in question, from which different types of knowledge items are extracted. These knowledge items represent the different types of knowing that are embedded in the organization's structure and its processes. From an analysis of a process instance described in the ontology, different knowledge items can be extracted and represented as knowledge maps. These maps represent the internal competencies of the organization as they relate to certain processes and hence they can be used to provide inputs in the decision-making process, for example, knowledge process outsourcing decisions. The purpose of this paper is to present an ontology-driven methodology for extracting different knowledge items and representing them as knowledge maps. Knowledge Management Research & Practice (2009) 7, 37-51. doi:10.1057/kmrp.2008.37