Linkage between knowledge management and R&D management

Purpose – The relationship between knowledge management (KM) and research and development (R&D) management is intrinsically close. However, little attention has been paid to the development and implementation of KM systems for R&D organizations. The main objective of this current research is, from the perspective of evolutionary ecology, to suggest a framework of system design to link KM and R&D management. Design/methodology/approach – The chronological profile of R&D management systems over the past few decades is reviewed and the salient features of respective generations are identified. Then, the list of requirements for KM systems is suggested for each generation. Findings – Finds that these requirements constitute crucial variables for the design of KM systems and, as a whole, provide the building‐blocks for integrating R&D management and KM. Originality/value – The proposed architecture is considered as a starting‐point and serves as a milestone in implementing KMS in accordance with the R&D characteristics of a particular firm.