Institutional knowledge management and defense transformation: insights from Colombia’s National Army and National Police

This study examines how institutional knowledge management contributes to defense transformation in the Colombian National Army and the Colombian National Police by analyzing the organizational mechanisms through which knowledge is created, institutionalized, and transferred. A documentary-interpretative research design was employed using official institutional documents, doctrine, transformation plans, knowledge management guidelines, and relevant academic literature. The corpus was analyzed through Nonaka’s Organizational Knowledge Creation (SECI) framework. Knowledge management is institutionalized through interconnected mechanisms, including doctrine, lessons learned systems, process management, research and innovation, professional education, and organizational governance. Although digital technologies support information management, transformation depends primarily on continuous learning and doctrinal development. Both institutions have adopted similar approaches despite their distinct operational missions. The study conceptualizes knowledge management as a strategic organizational capability for defense transformation rather than as a technological or administrative function. It also offers a comparative analysis of military and police organizations operating within a common Ministry of National Defense. Defense and security organizations should strengthen doctrine, lessons learned systems, organizational learning, research, innovation, and institutional governance alongside digital technologies to preserve, share, and convert operational knowledge into sustainable institutional capabilities.