Knowledge ecosystems: A theoretical lens for organizations confronting hyperturbulent environments

Abstract

Adopt the viewpoint of a U.S. citizen and recall the contribution of knowledge exchanges (or lack thereof) to the major events of the last 6 years: incorrect estimates of the Al-Qaeda threat prior to the 9/11 attacks, failing to apprehend the culprit behind the anthrax events of 2001, inadequate response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Repeat investigations and comprehensive certifications by the U.S. General Accounting Office all report the same theme: more than sufficient knowledge existed to mitigate these events, but the knowledge was in a highly distributed and fragmented form across multiple departments, agencies, and the White House (Kean and Hamilton 2004; U.S. GAO 2003, 2004a, 2004b, 2006a, 2006b). © 2007 International Federation for Information Processing.