About this Research Topic
The burgeoning field of knowledge management (KM) is a multidisciplinary field that sits at the intersection of many academic disciplines, including cognitive science, information science, computing, education, business, and psychology. While technological advancements offer powerful tools for capturing, storing, and disseminating knowledge, it is human psychology that ultimately determines how effectively knowledge is created, shared, and utilized.
This special issue seeks to delve into the complex interplay between psychological factors and KM processes, addressing the intricate nature of the human mind and how it interacts with its environment at a cognitive level. At its foundation, the development of KM methodologies is informed by the core principles of cognitive science, such as understanding the acquisition, storage, and retrieval of information from a memory and attention perspective, as well as enhancing problem-solving and decision-making capabilities through cognitive theories. However, while cognitive science plays a significant role in shaping the theory and practice of KM, it is still a multidisciplinary field that encompasses elements from various disciplines, and so we are inviting original research articles, review articles, and theoretical perspectives that explore the psychological underpinnings of knowledge management across a diverse range of topics, including:
Cognitive Psychology:
•Attention, memory, and learning in knowledge acquisition and retention.
•The impact of cognitive biases and heuristics on knowledge sharing and decision-making.
•The role of mental models and schema in knowledge representation and utilization.
•Individual differences in cognitive styles and abilities in relation to KM effectiveness.
Motivation and Emotion:
•Intrinsic and extrinsic motivators for knowledge sharing and collaboration.
•The role of emotions, such as trust and fear, in knowledge transfer and social learning.
•The impact of organizational culture and climate on knowledge-sharing behaviors.
•The motivational challenges of knowledge management in distributed work environments.
Decision-making and Problem-solving:
•Cognitive processes involved in knowledge-based decision-making.
•The role of intuition and expertise in knowledge-intensive problem-solving.
•The impact of group dynamics and collaboration on knowledge utilization.
•The influence of cognitive biases and heuristics on collective intelligence and decision-making.
Social Psychology and Collaboration:
•The role of trust, reciprocity, and social norms in knowledge exchange.
•Communication and collaboration strategies for effective knowledge sharing.
•The impact of team dynamics and leadership on knowledge creation and innovation.
•The psychological dynamics of online communities and knowledge repositories.
Human-Computer Interaction (HCI):
•The role of user interface design and technology usability in knowledge acquisition and retrieval.
•The impact of cognitive workload and attention management on knowledge interaction.
•The potential of gamification and other motivational strategies to enhance knowledge utilization.
•Ethical considerations of AI-powered KM systems and their impact on human cognition and behavior.
We encourage interdisciplinary approaches and welcome submissions that bridge the gap between psychological theory and practical KM challenges. This special issue aims to provide a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the psychological dynamics driving successful knowledge management practices and offer valuable insights to researchers, practitioners, and policymakers interested in optimizing knowledge ecosystems for individual and organizational performance.
This special issue seeks to delve into the complex interplay between psychological factors and KM processes, addressing the intricate nature of the human mind and how it interacts with its environment at a cognitive level. At its foundation, the development of KM methodologies is informed by the core principles of cognitive science, such as understanding the acquisition, storage, and retrieval of information from a memory and attention perspective, as well as enhancing problem-solving and decision-making capabilities through cognitive theories. However, while cognitive science plays a significant role in shaping the theory and practice of KM, it is still a multidisciplinary field that encompasses elements from various disciplines, and so we are inviting original research articles, review articles, and theoretical perspectives that explore the psychological underpinnings of knowledge management across a diverse range of topics, including:
Cognitive Psychology:
•Attention, memory, and learning in knowledge acquisition and retention.
•The impact of cognitive biases and heuristics on knowledge sharing and decision-making.
•The role of mental models and schema in knowledge representation and utilization.
•Individual differences in cognitive styles and abilities in relation to KM effectiveness.
Motivation and Emotion:
•Intrinsic and extrinsic motivators for knowledge sharing and collaboration.
•The role of emotions, such as trust and fear, in knowledge transfer and social learning.
•The impact of organizational culture and climate on knowledge-sharing behaviors.
•The motivational challenges of knowledge management in distributed work environments.
Decision-making and Problem-solving:
•Cognitive processes involved in knowledge-based decision-making.
•The role of intuition and expertise in knowledge-intensive problem-solving.
•The impact of group dynamics and collaboration on knowledge utilization.
•The influence of cognitive biases and heuristics on collective intelligence and decision-making.
Social Psychology and Collaboration:
•The role of trust, reciprocity, and social norms in knowledge exchange.
•Communication and collaboration strategies for effective knowledge sharing.
•The impact of team dynamics and leadership on knowledge creation and innovation.
•The psychological dynamics of online communities and knowledge repositories.
Human-Computer Interaction (HCI):
•The role of user interface design and technology usability in knowledge acquisition and retrieval.
•The impact of cognitive workload and attention management on knowledge interaction.
•The potential of gamification and other motivational strategies to enhance knowledge utilization.
•Ethical considerations of AI-powered KM systems and their impact on human cognition and behavior.
We encourage interdisciplinary approaches and welcome submissions that bridge the gap between psychological theory and practical KM challenges. This special issue aims to provide a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the psychological dynamics driving successful knowledge management practices and offer valuable insights to researchers, practitioners, and policymakers interested in optimizing knowledge ecosystems for individual and organizational performance.
Keywords: Knowledge Management, Psychology, Cognition, Motivation, Decision-making, Collaboration, Learning, Organizational behavior, Human-computer interaction
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
