How to support knowledge management through human resource management activities

Abstract

Investment into Knowledge Capital is necessary for organisational competitiveness. Knowledge Capital, however, does not belong to organisations but instead to their employees. Thus organisations must attract people with the desirable knowledge and skills who are additionally willing to share their knowledge. Furthermore, organisations must keep those who are already employed and try to save and spread their knowledge in case they decide to leave the company (and go work somewhere else or retire). The activities of Human Resource Management can provide support to the following aims: open culture development, supporting a climate of involvement and trust, suitable ways of work, wellprepared recruitment of workers and their stabilisation, suitable motivational and reward management, an emphasis on organisational and individual development, providing opportunities to knowledge sharing, care of work conditions, cooperation with the IT department. Human Resource Management may also help overcome certain problems connected with Knowledge Management implementation (e.g. employees' aversion to changes).