Assimilating knowledge‐based systems: the roads to success

Knowledge‐based systems (KBS) can help organizations to leverage their professional expertise and manage their human resources. Considers the introduction and assimilation of a new technology such as KBS in your organization. Proposes five strategic alternatives: paving footpaths – building the low road, building the high road, building a road network, and waiting for the green light. Considers their relative merits by using a case‐study methodology to examine organizations that have followed each road. Relative costs, risks and required resources are noted while the importance of a fit between a chosen road and the existing knowledge structure is discussed.