The three tiers architecture of knowledge flow and management activities

This study aims to develop a framework for Knowledge Management Activities (KMA) that reflects their multitier nature and accommodates the multilevel of flow that knowledge goes through in organizations. A survey method was employed for this study in Bahrain to test the research model behind that architectural framework. The results showed that the classical three tiers of IS platforms, i.e. backend, processing, and frontend, can be used as an overarching distribution to devise corresponding KMA tiers related to managing knowledge resources, knowledge creation, and knowledge application respectively. Moreover, they highlighted the different sets of KMA at each tier as well as provided evidences that support the relationships between them. Research implications related to advancing the current path of studies on KMA modeling as well as practice implications concerning the development of knowledge based management approaches for organizations have been discussed at the end of the paper.

Research highlights
► KM activities have 3 tiers: resources, flow & creation, & application.
► K (knowledge) flow has 3 levels: individuals, groups, & organization.
► K flow has 3 types of resources: tacit K, implicit K, & information.
► K flow has 4 activities: information sharing; K sharing, learning, & storage.