Organizational Epistemology

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xxvi

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2. Organizational Knowledge

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1

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   2. Organization as Conceptual Distinction

      • Kasra Seirafi

      Pages 3-29

   3. The Relevance of Organizational Knowledge

      • Kasra Seirafi

      Pages 31-53

   4. The Application of Organizational Knowledge

      • Kasra Seirafi

      Pages 55-72

   5. The Creation of Organizational Knowledge

      • Kasra Seirafi

      Pages 73-92

   6. From a Theory of Organizational Knowledge to an Organizational Epistemology

      • Kasra Seirafi

      Pages 93-104

3. Epistemology

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 105-105

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   2. Rationalistic Epistemology

      • Kasra Seirafi

      Pages 107-122

   3. Social Epistemology

      • Kasra Seirafi

      Pages 123-149

4. Organizational Epistemology

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 151-151

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   2. The Normative Issue at Organizational Knowledge

      • Kasra Seirafi

      Pages 153-158

   3. Epistemological Criteria for Organizational Knowledge

      • Kasra Seirafi

      Pages 159-176

   4. Organizational Epistemology Applied: Seven-Eleven Japan

      • Kasra Seirafi

      Pages 177-196

   5. Summary: A New Vocabulary for a Normative Theory of Organizational Knowledge

      • Kasra Seirafi

      Pages 197-219

5. Back Matter

   Pages 221-229

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This book presents an in-depth perspective of knowledge as a fundamental process of any organization rather than just another resource to be managed. The author presents a process-oriented theory of creating and applying knowledge directed towards both researchers and practitioners. In this book the author develops normative knowledge management guidelines which draw from a unique view on knowledge, discussed in the field of philosophy since Plato but neglected by most knowledge management authors – by applying a philosophically grounded ‘social epistemology’ to organizations. The guidelines in this book call for an open and reflective space of knowledge creation, aligned with goals and structures of the organization. Numerous examples, field studies, and an application to the main case study on Seven-Eleven Japan complement both the descriptive view on knowledge as well as the normative guidelines presented in this book.​

• Knowledge management guidelines
• Organizational knowledge
• Organizational learning
• Philosophy of science
• Seven-Eleven Japan
• Social epistemology

• University of Applied Sciences Upper Aus, Vienna, Austria

  Kasra Seirafi

Dr. Kasra Seirafi has been working on the topics of organizational knowledge, knowledge management (systems), and their theoretical foundations both as researcher and practitioner. He received his PhD from the University of Vienna (with a research visit at Stanford University, USA) as well as additional certifications from University of Derby (UK) and University of Vienna (Austria). At the moment he works as researcher and lecturer at the University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria. As a practitioner he works as co-founder of a startup in the technology business, as well as a senior consultant for knowledge management issues & human resources.

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