508
T. Frozza et al.
In direct relations KM has been useful as a tool to acquire external knowledge and
enable the development of innovations internally; to enable the sharing of knowledge among members of the organization, which impacts on the effectiveness of
environmental management, as well as the development of effective resources for
management and leadership, focused on the sustainable development of the organization; to facilitate the conversion of sources of legislation, compliance standards and
cultural influences into legal and compliance data that can be effectively used by the
organization; as well as providing the knowledge base to support future decisions.
In relationships considered indirect, KM has been seen as necessary to develop
knowledge about consumer preferences and other requirements to address sustainability challenges, and to apply company knowledge to products and processes themselves. Overall, it is identified as a central factor in creating an organizational environment that supports creativity and promotes innovation, as well as essential to
addressing the challenges of corporate social responsibility. It has also been seen as
a tool for improving corporate governance, facilitating continuous improvement and
increasing stakeholder value (Robinson et al. 2006; Schrettle et al. 2014; Ayuso et al.
2011).
Considering the above, although some applications and influences of KM on
sustainability have been identified, the possibilities for future research are wide,
especially considering the breadth of the themes and the attention that sustainability,
in particular, has been receiving in recent years. Thus, based on the considerations
generated from the research, it is suggested as a possibility for future research to
study the relationships of other KM processes with the dimensions of sustainability;
identify why KM has been applied most often in the governance and environmental
dimension; and direct research that addresses the issues in the context of higher
education institutions.
Finally, considering all of the above, it is understood as the main contribution
of this research the identification of how KM has been used to assist organizations
in the direction of sustainable development. From this contribution come secondary
contributions, such as the generation of greater integration between the two main
themes—KM and Sustainability, which until now have been strongly worked in
parallel, but which can generate positive results if worked together and strengthening
from the field of study of KM.
References
Ayuso S, Rodríguez MÁ, García-Castro R, Ariño MÁ (2011) Does stakeholder engagement promote
sustainable innovation orientation? Ind Manage Data Syst 111(9):1399–1417
Barlett PF, Chase GW (eds) (2013) Sustainability in higher education: stories and strategies for
transformation. The MIT Press, Cambridge, p 316
Barth M, Rieckmann M (2012) Academic staff development as a catalyst for curriculum change
towards education for sustainable development: an output perspective. J Clean Prod 26:28–36
T. Frozza et al.
In direct relations KM has been useful as a tool to acquire external knowledge and
enable the development of innovations internally; to enable the sharing of knowledge among members of the organization, which impacts on the effectiveness of
environmental management, as well as the development of effective resources for
management and leadership, focused on the sustainable development of the organization; to facilitate the conversion of sources of legislation, compliance standards and
cultural influences into legal and compliance data that can be effectively used by the
organization; as well as providing the knowledge base to support future decisions.
In relationships considered indirect, KM has been seen as necessary to develop
knowledge about consumer preferences and other requirements to address sustainability challenges, and to apply company knowledge to products and processes themselves. Overall, it is identified as a central factor in creating an organizational environment that supports creativity and promotes innovation, as well as essential to
addressing the challenges of corporate social responsibility. It has also been seen as
a tool for improving corporate governance, facilitating continuous improvement and
increasing stakeholder value (Robinson et al. 2006; Schrettle et al. 2014; Ayuso et al.
2011).
Considering the above, although some applications and influences of KM on
sustainability have been identified, the possibilities for future research are wide,
especially considering the breadth of the themes and the attention that sustainability,
in particular, has been receiving in recent years. Thus, based on the considerations
generated from the research, it is suggested as a possibility for future research to
study the relationships of other KM processes with the dimensions of sustainability;
identify why KM has been applied most often in the governance and environmental
dimension; and direct research that addresses the issues in the context of higher
education institutions.
Finally, considering all of the above, it is understood as the main contribution
of this research the identification of how KM has been used to assist organizations
in the direction of sustainable development. From this contribution come secondary
contributions, such as the generation of greater integration between the two main
themes—KM and Sustainability, which until now have been strongly worked in
parallel, but which can generate positive results if worked together and strengthening
from the field of study of KM.
References
Ayuso S, Rodríguez MÁ, García-Castro R, Ariño MÁ (2011) Does stakeholder engagement promote
sustainable innovation orientation? Ind Manage Data Syst 111(9):1399–1417
Barlett PF, Chase GW (eds) (2013) Sustainability in higher education: stories and strategies for
transformation. The MIT Press, Cambridge, p 316
Barth M, Rieckmann M (2012) Academic staff development as a catalyst for curriculum change
towards education for sustainable development: an output perspective. J Clean Prod 26:28–36