Proposing a framework for frequently used terms in knowledge management

In this paper we analyze the meanings and relations of frequently used terms in knowledge management (KM). We start with an overview of the terms data, information, and knowledge, which are mostly seen to be in a hierarchical relation with either knowledge or data on top of the hierarchy. Afterwards, we present the concepts that underlie tacit knowledge, implicit knowledge, and explicit knowledge. Since the meaning of all of these terms varies depending on the author, we give working definitions of the terms and integrate them in a coherent framework, which clarifies and visualizes the relations between data, information, and different types of knowledge. The framework allows researchers to build on a clear terminology concerning frequently used terms in KM, and helps readers of KM literature to gain a better understanding of their meanings and relations. -- Knowledge ; information ; data ; explicit Knowledge ; implicit knowledge ; tacit knowledge