Knowledge Dynamics: Exploring its Meanings and Interpretations

Abstract In the literature there are many and different interpretations of the concept knowledge dynamics that creates a real difficulty in working with it. There is no comprehensive study of all these meanings and interpretations attributed to knowledge dynamics. The purpose of this paper is to explore the semantic spectrum of the concept of knowledge dynamics and to reveal the most relevant meanings and interpretations researchers in the domain of knowledge management attribute to it. The multitude of meanings and interpretations can be explained as a result of using different metaphors for expressing the concept of knowledge. Also, many researchers come from different domains of science and have different practical experiences in working with knowledge and knowledge management. The research question is how can be found a common framework to explain the most significant meanings and interpretations of the knowledge dynamics concept. Understanding this concept is necessary for all researchers, academics, and practitioners working in the domain of knowledge management and intellectual capital. The research method is based on a critical literature review, on using metaphorical thinking and on a comparative semantic analysis. It is a conceptual paper and therefore its structure will follow the logic of analysis and not that used for empirical research papers. The findings are integrated into a complex but coherent semantic framework based on both Newtonian and Thermodynamics principles.