Web 2.0 and traditional knowledge management processes

Abstract

The paper discusses the use of Web 2.0 as a new means for knowledge management for professional organisations in general, and for emergency response in particular. It is argued that there is no clear understanding of how traditional knowledge management and Web 2.0 processes align. Thus, this paper analyses traditional knowledge management processes in the context of Web 2.0 processes and presents an alignment in a common knowledge management model. We believe that an understanding and alignment of the Web 2.0 and the traditional knowledge management processes is essential to fully realise the potential of designing and developing Web 2.0 knowledge management applications. The common model clearly shows where each Web 2.0 process can be applied, and thus the different characteristics of the Web 2.0 and organisational processes can be taken into account. Finally, we examine the application of Web 2.0-based knowledge management systems for emergency response and present the initial work on developing a tool to support knowledge management in emergency response. This tool is embedded in the context of the WeKnowIt research project that aims at examining how Web 2.0 techniques such as user generated content, question and answering and social networking can be applied in the emergency response domain.