ABSTRACT
Information and knowledge can be seen as closely related and complementary stages along the same road, and as such both perform essential roles in the decision-making process. David Wilson presents a useful illustration of this with the notion of the processing hierarchy. This shows that by selecting and analysing data, information can be produced; by selecting and combining information, knowledge can be generated; from this decisions can be made and action taken. Wilson has produced a simple yet extremely helpful diagram setting out the inter-relationships of the different concepts, with a short textual example which puts it into an everyday context. Knowledge and individual expertise, as well as information, are now seen as vital to the success of a business. There seems to be agreement across various types of organisation that knowledge management contains a combination of some or all of the following features: recognising and building on in-house individual expertise, and passing on knowledge.
