Knowledge Management and Innovation at 3M

Abstract

3M’s objective is to become the most innovative company in the world. 3M employs a wide range of Knowledge Management systems, but the appropriate environment has to be in place before people will be motivated to input and access such systems. 3M concentrates on the “tacit to tacit” area in the belief that if this is functioning well, other aspects of Knowledge Management will fall more readily into place. The willingness to share knowledge between individuals is directly affected by the culture within a company.