Habermasian Inquiring System: Toward a General Framework for Knowledge Management Research

This study addresses a long-standing and wellrecognized problem in KM research, namely the lack of conceptual integration and a cumulative tradition. Knowledge management needs an overarching framework to unify and direct research. This paper reports on the development of such a framework. Elements of the proposed framework are created by synthesizing concepts from the systems thinking and critical thinking traditions. It is argued that the synthesis of aspects of Churchman’s inquiring systems and Habermas’ critical social theory provides a philosophically grounded, universally pragmatic framework useful in managing the complexity, and conceptualizing the richness, of knowledge phenomena. The key architectural element in this framework is Habermas’ knowledge interests. Habermas’ three knowledge interests (technical, practical and emancipatory) form a three-level integrating structure. Framework development consists of describing how four other design elements (Habermas’ thre...

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2006
• Where: HICSS
• Authors: Zining Guo, James Sheffield
• Keywords: Biometrics, Churchman’s Inquiring Systems, HICSS 2006, Knowledge Interests, Overarching Framework, System Sciences