Knowledge Society in 21st Century: An Overview

Sharmila Bose Apurba J. Majumder

Documentation-cum-Asst. Librarian Junior Research Fellow
Centre for Women’s Studies & Deptt. of Library & Information Science
University of North Bengal Gauhati University
Email: sharmi.wb@gmail.com Email: apurbajyoti@gmail.com

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ABSTRACT: With the advancement of Information and Communication Technology, knowledge society as a
new concept has appeared world wide in recent years where knowledge is the primary production resource
instead of capital and labour. To use this knowledge efficiently we need to manage it. The role of Library and
Information Science Professional is also becoming the challenging one. This paper focuses an overview on
knowledge society by discussing the nature of knowledge, attributes of knowledge society, and benefits of
knowledge management. It also briefly describes the challenging role of librarians and mentions the professional
skills to survive in the changing environment of 21st century.

KEYWORDS: Information, Knowledge, Knowledge Society, Librarians, Professional Qualities

1. INTRODUCTION

We are living in the 21st century, the age of exponential growth of information where information has
been recognized as a powerful key resource in each and every sector of knowledge-based society.
Moreover, Information has changed its form from a ‘precious stone’, as considered till 20th century, to an
ordinary stone with the help of computerization and technological development, and is easily available. In
the light of today’s well advanced & multi dimensional society, information is regarded as an essential
commodity.

In order to cope up with the new changes, knowledge has the power to reshape the global economy; and
to generate new ideas, we need to produce and manage knowledge. Knowledge is power and its
management helps us to share and learn from others. In the era of information technology, with the
advancement of network technologies, we are able to bridge the isolated islands of knowledge.
Knowledge-based system technologies and tools can undoubtedly improve the current state of the art of
knowledge management.

Today knowledge has become the driving force for the development of the society. It has become the
application of the information in founding a society with a high skills level which ultimately leads to the
economic advantage.

Knowledge is not just the key to development, ‘It is development’. The transformation of resources and
making use of use them in new ways for knowledge is directly related to the standard of living. This also
includes better use of knowledge in policy making or in developing production processes.

Library in the knowledge-based society has become a treasure of knowledge and acts as a connecting link
between the users and the knowledge. Unlike traditional world, today libraries are digital and emerging as
a means of creation and dissemination of knowledge. Thus, the attention of the library professionals

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should not only be on the creation of knowledge and their exchanging and sharing with the users, but also
on effective research and development of knowledge.

2. KNOWLEDGE

Knowledge is part of the hierarchy made up of data, information and knowledge. Data are raw facts.
Information is data with context and perspective. Knowledge is information with guidance for action
based upon insight and experience. Knowledge is generated in the human mind. It is the organized body
of information resultant on having acquired an organized body of facts. It also refers to a body of facts
and principles accumulated by human in the different interval of time.

The International Encyclopaedia of Information and Library Science defines knowledge as:
“Knowledge is information evaluated and organized in the human mind so that it can be used
purposefully”.

The World Bank World Development Report of 1998 identifies knowledge, and the ability to improve
knowledge as “dynamic competitive advantage” – that means the relative advantage that country can
create for them.

3. NATURE OF KNOWLEDGE

While it is difficult to define precisely the parameters of the universe of knowledge, it is possible to spell
out its scope to a certain degree. The nature of knowledge is infinitely expandable. The control of
knowledge is the crux of a world wide struggle of power. Knowledge about knowledge is therefore,
deemed to be the greatest source of power that one can possess.

Dissemination of knowledge is being reconstructed and remodeled to chart a new dimension in

information products and services. All human activities today are knowledge dependent. Knowledge
superiority or inferiority would determine the rise or fall of nations and culture.

4. ACQUISITION OF KNOWLEDGE

Knowledge acquisition is the initial point of knowledge management in the libraries. The application of
information technologies has not only widened the scope of knowledge acquisition but also increases the
speed of acquisition and reduces the cost. The close linking between knowledge sources and knowledge
workers is possible through computer networks and thereby creating a strong web of knowledge networks
in libraries on particular piece of information. Thus, it converted the library into a powerhouse of
knowledge.

The process of acquisition of knowledge includes perception, learning, communication, and reasoning
i.e., all cognitive processes. Knowledge about anything means having a great depth on ‘the thing’ which
when required can be applied.
Knowledge may be scientific or situational. Scientific knowledge is the knowledge generated by
performing various experiments while situational knowledge refers to a knowledge gained in a particular
situation.

Moreover, knowledge may be visible and invisible. The knowledge found in the patents, rule books,
intellectual property, records of an organization, etc. are known as visible knowledge, also called as

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‘explicit’ or ‘tangible’ knowledge. On the other hand invisible knowledge could be found in the
knowledge of an individual doing some work, like driving a car. It is also known as ‘tacit’ or ‘intangible’
knowledge.

Last but not least, knowledge can also be generate by trial and error method or by make use of ones
previous experience in a specific area or subject or thing.

5. KNOWLEDGE SOCIETY

Knowledge society is also known as knowledge economy and emanates from knowledge industry.
Knowledge society has emerged from information society and is nothing but formal association of
different groups of people in the society with similar interests. What they do is combined their knowledge
and try to make use of it effectively and thus try to contribute more knowledge for the development of the
society.

To test whether a community has adopted a mature approach to develop a knowledge society, we have to
look at the following:

Human Resource Development by investing in education;

Investment in research and development;

An effective infrastructure to disseminate information.

6. KNOWLEDGE INDUSTRY

Knowledge industries are built upon knowledge and has a linked with knowledge society. They not only
include electronics, software and telecommunications but also offer technology rich services. Knowledge
industry is also termed as communication industry or cultural industry and is linked knowledge. Books,
magazines, newspapers and databases are some of the examples of the products produced by the
knowledge industries.

7. ATTRIBUTES OF KNOWLEDGE SOCIETY

Knowledge forms the core component of all the activities like social, cultural, economical and human
activities. One interesting thing about knowledge society is here both the raw material and the major
product is knowledge. Some attributes of knowledge society are:-

Identical to an industrial economy; like capital in the industrial economy, knowledge is also a
strategic resource in knowledge economy.

A telecommunication based information infrastructure;

Rapid and convenient dissemination of required knowledge.

8. KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT

The process of collecting, organizing, storing and dissemination of knowledge, in simple words are
known as knowledge management. It is the process of managing the knowledge to enhance organizational
performance. Knowledge management provides the technical methods and structure to create, capture,

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analyse and act on information. It is the broaden spectrum of information management. It deals not only
with the information content but also with the knowledge present in the brains of ‘users and employees’.

Knowledge is very social and needs the right kind of social environment in which to flourish. Knowledge
management strategies should emphasize the creation of an environment and culture, which fosters
knowledge sharing. These cultural aspects of knowledge exchange are particularly important in
information technology poor countries. However, it cannot be overemphasized in the countries having
sophisticated information technology.

In a knowledge society, every organization must know about their knowledge assets and should learn how
to manage and organize the same to provide maximum benefits. With the help of newly developed tools,
techniques and methods of knowledge management, users can be served with ample information as and
when required.

The most frequent questions which a knowledge management programmes should include are: _

What should one know and how?

How does one gather experience?

How to develop a collection of knowledge assets and tools that can be used again and again?

How does one make sure that knowledge and insight are disseminated thoughtfully?
The knowledge management process lies in the solution of the above questions.

One of the aims of knowledge management in libraries is to promote the knowledge exchange among
library staffs, strengthen innovation consciousness and abilities, and arise the library staffs' enthusiasm
and abilities for learning, making the knowledge most efficiently applied to the various activities of the
library, and rebuilding the library into a learning organization. Therefore, the basic thought lies regarding
knowledge management of libraries is not only not only a rational design of the organizational structure
but also modernized information support, thereby creating an environment for innovation, exchange,
study and application of knowledge.

Knowledge management efforts and initiatives add great value to an organization. An effective
knowledge management programme will provide the following benefits:

Promote innovation by encouraging free flow of ideas and insights.

Contributes to the intellectual capital of an organization.

Facilitates better and more informed decisions.

Ensure the effective and efficient combination of the best knowledge available within an
organization.

Apply knowledge in the best form.

Improve users’ services by shortening the response time.

Recognize the value of employee’s knowledge and thereby, enhance their retention rates.

9. LIBRARIANS AS KNOWLEDGE MANAGERS

Information technology is changing the whole world rapidly by throwing new challenges and
opportunities. Advance in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has led to the librarians to
play a different role. Unlike previous days when librarians like as store keepers, in today’s world they are
more like knowledge managers and information analysts. With the progress of time and development of
information environment, the process of information management has radically changed.

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Besides meeting all information quests of users, the librarians also plays a neutral function. He can also
help the people in gathering knowledge on certain things which they do hesitate to ask others directly.
The librarian can use their information skills to take the lead in developing resource guides and methods
which will help to make them active and keep them up-to-date. The role of librarian can highlight the
knowledge gaps and therefore, provide insights into the areas of skill development and learning process.

But librarians’ role shows more sparks when he acts as an information broker. His service proves to be
more relevant when he provide the society the relevant knowledge timely. They must have the theoretical
and practical experiences in designing and implementing information system.

Building modern libraries is not simply a matter of installing rows of computers with internet facility as
today’s users access material from where they live and work. Desired access can only be provided by
developing electronic information services, such as internet portals and acting as a broker between
content providers and remote users.

Though it is true that one library could not have everything but it is partially true in the modern digital
world, because in future librarians have to link more with the content providers and the information
technology companies then other libraries. Today libraries have to think their users not only as users but
as their co-workers or partners because they have to be active in the environment of creating knowledge
and disseminating it.

Accessing the web and structuring knowledge demands for the librarian to have better understanding of
all the technologies, search strategies and search engines with their application and of course awaring of
their limitations.

So, what librarians need today is to implement new technologies. Improve their performances and
professional competencies to face the challenges of the knowledge society. Moreover they must be keen
to stay at the forefront of innovation in the library world. Some of the unique professional qualities that
will enable the librarian to survive and respond efficiently in the 21st century are:

Managerial skills.

Technological skills.

Communication skills.

Search skills.

Sound knowledge of information resources and services.

Skill of providing better users service.

Marketing of library products and services.

Evaluation and assessment skills.

Thus, Library and Information Science (LIS) professionals with better personal, professional and
technological competencies have great opportunities and bright futures in modern library.

10. CONCLUSION

Technological environment is highly dynamic and changing at a very fast rate. Today’s latest information
is outdated tomorrow. So, knowledge management is essential today. It has become a powerful tool and
secures an outstanding position in the creation of knowledge innovation systems and thereby promoting
knowledge innovation. It is crucial to an organization.

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A rapid advance in Information and Communication Technology is creating difficulties for the LIS
professionals to keep track and pace with the emerging technologies. So, librarians have to play multiple
roles to face many new challenges in the dynamic technological environment. They have to recognize the
expanding nature of the rapid changes and act accordingly by implementing new practices and improving
performances to accept the challenges of the knowledge society.

Keeping in view the multiple sectors of the knowledge society, a librarian must be a professional expert,
knowledge manager, technical literate, navigator, marketer, trainer, service provider and many more to
provide effective LIS services to the users in the 21st century.

REFERENCES

1. Dorick, Herbert S. & Wang, Georgette. 1993, The Information Society: A Retrospective View, Sage,
Newbury Park, CA.

2. Edwards, Christopher. 2000, ‘Global Knowledge: A Challenge for Librarians’. Retrieved on

August22, 2007, Available at: http://www.ifla.org/IV/ifla66/papers/153-154e.htm

3. Feather, John & Sturges, Paul.1997, International Encyclopaedia of Information and Library Science,
Routledge, London.

4. Halkar, Giriraj J. & Gupta, Sangita.1999, ‘Knowledge Management: A Challenge for the 21st
Century’, University News, vol.42, no. 28, pp. 12-18.

5. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knowledge_management

6. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/knowledge_society

7. http://www.sparknow.net/documents/Role_of_the_Librarian.pdf

8. ‘Knowledge Management’. 2002. Retrieved on December 14, 2007,

Available at: http://www.defenselink.mil/comptroller/icenter/learn/knowledgemanconcept.htm

9. Kumar, Krishan.1998, The Rise of Modern Society, Vikas, New Delhi.

10. Mashelkar, R.A. 1999, ‘Tomorrow’s Knowledge Societies’, University News, vol. 37(8), pp. 11-14.

11. Panda, Ing A. 1987, ‘Technological Innovation and Information’, IASLIC Bulletin, vol. 32(1), pp. 45-
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12. Shanhong, Tang. 2000, ‘Knowledge Management in Libraries in the 21st Century. Retrieved on
august 25, 2007, Available at: http://www.ifla.org/IV/ifla66/papers/057-110e.htm

13. Stehr, Nico.1994, Knowledge Societies, Sage, London.

14. Venkata Ramana, P., ‘The Changing Role of Librarian in a Challenging Dynamic Web Environment’.
Retrieved on February 12, 2008,
Available at: http://dspace.ac.in/bitstream/1944/562/1/18(cal+06).pdf

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ABOUT AUTHORS:
Miss Sharmila Bose, B.Sc. (Zoo) M.L.I.Sc. (1st class 1st, 2006, Burdwan University),
is working as a Documentation-cum-Assistant Librarian in the Centre for Women’s
Studies, North Bengal University, West Bengal.
Email: sharmi.wb@gmail.com

Apurba Jyoti Majumder, B.Sc.(Zoo), M.L.I.Sc.(1st class 1st, 2006, Gauhati

University)], is a Junior Research Fellow (UGC/JRF) in the Department of Library &
Information Science, Gauhati University, Assam. He is also pursuing Certificate in
French & PGDCA from GU. He is a member of ILA & IASLIC.
Email: apurbajyoti@gmail.com