Effective societal knowledge management Karl M. Wiig Abstract Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to suggest principles and framework for comprehensive societal knowledge management (SKM) for countries to provide acceptable conditions for their citizens and businesses and to participate equitable in the globalized knowledge economy. Design/methodology/approach – Foundations for SKM principles and framework are based on requirements and practical experiences reported in literature and expanded by the author’s work and concepts. Findings – Comprehensive SKM is not commonly pursued in spite of its importance for national survival. Many countries need SKM guidelines and concepts and will benefit by development of an acceptable and well-substantiated framework. Research limitations/implications – Extensive research should be pursued in scientific, economic, social, and educational fields to identify good SKM options. Understanding must be developed of how best to undertake SKM. Practical implications – Implications are that comprehensive SKM by nations promises to improve quality-of-life worldwide. Originality/value – Notwithstanding the need for a comprehensive SKM framework, little work has been available until now. Keywords Society, Knowledge management, Economic growth, Globalization, Quality-of-life, Literacy Paper type Conceptual paper Introduction Most nations seek good conditions for their public and private institutions and citizens. Sustaining satisfactory levels of economic activities and development, personal and shared qualities of life (QoL) are particularly important. Strong societal intellectual capital[1] (IC) is required to create and maintain acceptable internal domestic and local conditions and to participate effectively in the global knowledge economy. Acceptable QoL is achieved when the society is capable, balanced, and just and when appropriate IC is possessed by citizens, public servants, and organizations and incorporated in their practices, systems, and procedures. Societal success rests on widespread knowledge, cities are major generators of ideas, and widespread knowledge is fostered by effective societal knowledge management (SKM) to build, maintain, and make the best use of IC assets. In 1945, Hayek outlined the importance of knowledge for societal guidance and governance, albeit the importance of knowledge was not yet clear (Hayek, 1945). That became clearer in 1986 and 1990 when Romer provided the economic understanding that knowledge is the underlying factor that fuels performance, progress and economic growth, locally, nationally and globally (Romer, 1986, 1990; Warsh, 2006). From a more practical and operational view, Drucker introduced the understanding of the knowledge worker and this mode of work to the modern knowledge economy (Drucker, 1969). DOI 10.1108/13673270710819861 VOL. 11 NO. 5 2007, pp. 141-156, Q Emerald Group Publishing Limited, ISSN 1367-3270 j JOURNAL OF KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT j PAGE 141 Karl M. Wiig is Chairman and CEO of Knowledge Research Institute, Inc., Arlington, Texas, USA and Knowledge Management Adjunct Professor at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.