Informing Science Challenges to Informing Clients: A Transdisciplinary Approach June 2001 Validation as the Integral Part of a Knowledge Management Process Maria A. Mach and Mieczysław L. Owoc University of Economics, Poland mach@manager.ae.wroc.pl and mowoc@manager.ae.wroc.pl Abstract Observing new concepts in information technology, we pay attention to its impact on more effective supporting human and organisational knowl- edge. Knowledge management (KM) is one of such promising and intriguing concepts. Its goals and infrastructures are defined in different ways, therefore interdisciplinary approach seems to be useful. We have presented a short survey of theoretical concepts in management, marketing and decision theory, which were adapted by the theory of KM. On the other hand, knowledge validation (KV), defined as two procedures: verification and evaluation any form of knowledge, is aimed on assuring its quality. The paper discusses the crucial interrelationships between knowledge valida- tion and management. The main goal of this work is positioning KV activities in the context of knowledge management process, emphasising usabil- ity of KV techniques during the whole process. Keywords: managerial processes, knowledge management, knowledge validation & verification, knowledge quality Introduction The role of knowledge in organisations has become obvi- ous not long ago. Knowledge is nowadays treated as a critical resource of the firm, which leads to so-called knowledge–based view of the firm. As R. M. Grant points out, „this approach identifies knowledge as the central resource of the firm, not only because of its quantitative importance to value added, but also because of its strategic importance” (Grant, 1999, p. 433). Therefore the problem of knowledge management is cru- cial from the strategic point of view. At the same time, knowledge management is a very complex process because of its heterogeneity. Therefore there is a strong need to formalise knowledge management, which will help to iden- tify and “catch” different aspects of the problem. What must be also pointed out here is the role of knowledge management as an innovative factor. Knowledge manage- ment can be seen as a process consisting of several tasks, more described later on. In order to obtain useful knowl- edge we have to perform certain specific and specialised procedures aimed at assuring knowledge quality. Such procedures can be termed as knowledge verification and its role seems to be very important in the whole management process. The paper is organised as follows. We first present a short survey of theoretical concepts in management, marketing and decision theory, which were borrowed and adapted by the theory of knowledge management. Next we present a view of knowledge management as a process. This presen- tation is then followed by the presentation of the methods of knowledge verification in the KM context. Conclusions form the last part of the article. Theoretical and managerial back- ground for knowledge management and validation Clearly, knowledge management theory borrowed and adapted many concepts and solutions (theoretical and prac- tical) from theory of organisation, management, and mar- keting. Therefore it seems to be purposeful to present here a short survey on those aspect of this theory, which had an impact on the knowledge management theory. The roots of knowledge management theory can be seen in the fact, that the theory of organisations and management itself is interdisciplinary. It has some common concepts and theories with such areas, as law, sociology, economy, psychology, mathematics, system theory and cybernetics Material published as part of this proceedings, either on-line or in print, is copyrighted by the author with permission granted to the publisher of Informing Science for this printing. Permission to make digital or paper copy of part or all of these works for personal or classroom use is granted without fee provided that the copies are not made or distributed for profit or commercial advantage AND that copies 1) bear this notice in full and 2) give the full citation on the first page. It is permissible to abstract these works so long as credit is given. To copy in all other cases or to republish or to post on a server or to redistribute to lists requires specific permission from the author.