IKM

IKM is an acronym that can refer to multiple entities or concepts, and there is no single standard definition. Its meaning is determined by context, sector, and organization.

Common meanings include: Institute for Knowledge Management (IKM) — used by several research centers, consultancies, and professional associations focusing on knowledge management, organizational learning, and information systems.

Integrated Knowledge Management — a framework or approach that seeks to integrate people, processes, and technology to create, capture, organize, share, and apply knowledge across an organization to improve decision making and innovation. In IT service management contexts, IKM is sometimes used to denote combined Incident and Knowledge Management, though usage varies.

In practice, IKM efforts cover knowledge creation (codifying tacit knowledge), storage (repositories, catalogs), sharing (collaboration tools and communities of practice), and application (reuse, decision support). Enabling factors include leadership, governance, culture, and alignment with strategic objectives. Implementation often involves defined roles, measurement of knowledge flows, and integration with existing information systems and workflows.

In academia and industry, IKM is used to describe both theoretical models and practical programs designed to enhance organizational learning and knowledge utilization. Because the abbreviation has multiple meanings, readers should rely on contextual clues to determine which sense of IKM is intended in any given document.

Related topics include knowledge management, information management, and organizational learning.