Knowledge Structure Maps
The concept of the knowledge structure map is introduced and explored at some depth in this book. In fact, the knowledge structure map (KSM) is one of the main reasons for writing it; but a long way from the only reason. The concept of the KSM is first considered as something which follows on from the idea of understanding and most certainly from the idea of learning and expertise.
There is a lot more detail about the practicalities of knowledge structure mapping at the web site which promotes it.
The chapters on KSM explain the foundations of the idea and explain in some detail the basic concept of it. The idea of learning dependency, something which it is argued, exists within humans, is introduced and explored in detail. It starts to become clear that whilst KSM could be an excellent way to study knowledge from a human perspective, it is simply not suited to studying the sort of knowledge which is said to exist in books or in computer networks.
One of these chapters is a fairly detailed discussion about how to build a knowledge structure map about a knowledge area. A knowledge area is chosen and then explored within the chapter and the map itself unfolds as the chapter develops. Much of the discussion which can be typical of building such a map, is expressed in the chapter. However, the book does not cover the method used to study knowledge in organisations but it does cover the concept of the KSM in some detail and this is the core component of business studies using a KSM approach.
The next chapter looks at the benefits of a knowledge study using KSM and how the knowledge study tool helps to bring out these benefits so that an organisation can begin to manage a business more effectively by using information about the knowledge resource which it possesses by virtue of its human employees.
There is also a chapter on how the KSM links with other ideas about knowledge. In particular, there is some discussion about whether the KSM approach could add just a little to the philosophical investigation of knowledge.