Master of Science in Knowledge Management
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Master of Library and Information Studies
Master of Science in Knowledge Management
Bachelor of Arts in Information Studies
Knowledge management is an important and essential factor in organizational survival . To remain competitive, organizations need to examine their knowledge management practices and have the capacity to develop, organize, retain and utilize their human and knowledge resources. Customers, now more than ever, want better products and services. Technological advances and globalization have increased competition. Restructuring and outsourcing have become common features of today’s economy that usually result in knowledge loss and the migration of skilled workers. Knowledge loss can be a byproduct of trimming the workforce to reduce costs or the result of an aging workforce and the lack of replacements for retired workers. Knowledge management must be seen as a critical and strategic resource. Organizations need to pay special attention to those knowledge resources that are no longer protected by geographical barriers or filing cabinets. Some knowledge management practices, such as learning organization, communities of practice, knowledge sharing, and knowledge organization provide organizations with the means by which they can protect their intellectual capital and minimize their knowledge loss. Managing intellectual capital effectively not only minimizes knowledge loss but also dramatically improves human performance output.
The University of Oklahoma, realizing the importance of knowledge management, established the Master of Science in Knowledge Management (MSKM) degree program to educate a new generation of knowledge professionals capable of working at different levels in their organizations. Knowledge management, being inter-disciplinary in nature, draws upon the theories and practices of a number of fields, including information technology, business and management, communication and cognitive science, and library and information science. The MSKM program focuses on a set of core competencies in the key areas of organizational learning and communication, intellectual capital, knowledge management technologies, tools and measurements, knowledge organization, and information management.