Taxonomy of knowledge management systems in a complex environment
Authors: Ni Pengcheng , Kantola Jussi 
Published: June 2024

This paper is aimed at exploring the knowledge management system architecture in a complex environment by taxonomy. Knowledge management, an interdisciplinary study, is being developed widely in different research fields. Knowledge management system which is considered as the effective and comprehensive way of enhancing the organizational knowledge. Finally, contribute to the success of running of projects, especially in the complex environment. The current global market enhance communication and contribute to the prosperity of economy, whereas it also increases the competition. Knowledge management system, as the output of knowledge management, plays an indispensable role in a complex environment. Furthermore, the current literature do not offer us the wide viewpoint of the knowledge management in a complex environment from a holistic perspective. The first step of conducting the research in this topic is knowing the background of complex environment and knowledge management system. There are different expressions of definition of complex environment. However, these parameters are vital for complex environment, which are stakeholders, interfaces, approach, disciplines, resources, project environment, strategy. In the meantime, we can also narrow the parameters by axiomatic design theory. They are strategy, political conditions, environmental dimensions, stakeholders. Furthermore, we have to realize that complexity exists in the projects. Not only complex environment but also other complex factors can lead to varying degrees of complexity. By summing up the aforesaid analysis, the complex environment in the project can be defined as a project which has multiple unpredictable stakeholders, high importance, a plenty of disagreement and demand of decision-making process and dimension of change imposed on environment. The complex environment, the environment which is full of uncertainties, is value being studied. Knowledge management system, a systemic solution of knowledge management, is the core competency of an organization. And it makes a great significance on the success of the project. However, we have to realize that knowledge is complex, which is factual, conceptual and procedural. That is why this paper introduces the taxonomy to help us to create the knowledge management system. The second step is building the taxonomy based on knowledge management system in a complex environment. Taxonomy, which comes from the biological field, as a significant method, has been used in many other research fields. The initial conception of taxonomy is referred to classification of living organisms. However, the taxonomy has been broadly used in many other fields for classifications. This paper focuses on the taxonomy application in knowledge management system in a complex environment, which finds the common characteristics of knowledge management system in a complex environment. In terms of the knowledge management system, it shows its high importance in organizations which are in the complex and international market. This paper is to present a taxonomy of knowledge management system in a complex environment to provide a depict of this phenomenon. Then, we use taxonomy to figure out the phenomenon from a holistic perspective, which can reduce the complexity and lower the difficulty of understanding. The taxonomy provides us the useful tool for creating the knowledge management system for the projects in a complex environment. The paper is based on the extensive literature review. The final discussion will contribute to the architecture of knowledge management system in a complex environment. This work is done in a ship-building context. The related project is SEUS , which belongs to EU Horizon.