An investigation of knowledge management practices in the UK light vehicle manufacturing industry : conceptualisations of theory and practice

Knowledge Management (KM) is a growing area of interest in the business world. Organisations have enthusiastically adopted the idea that knowledge has become strategic resource and the principal basis for gaining a competitive advantage. The enthusiasm has attracted the management theorist and practitioner to the contemporary field of KM. While it is frequently claimed that effectively managing knowledge is important for organisations, it raises the issue of how the role of KM practices can benefit organisations. The main aim of this research is to gain a deeper understanding into the role of KM in adding value within a United Kingdom (UK) light vehicle manufacturing industry focusing on the car manufacturing industry and to propose a conceptual framework which explores interrelated mechanisms of KM practises.