Knowledge management and social potential of the organization in the context of its development

Abstract

People are the inseparable and irreplaceable element of every company. However, this statement was not always so obvious. Success of the organization was often attributed only to its products and measure of this success was solely numerical data showing the financial condition of the enterprise. Last decades have changed view on this subject. At present, not only dry figures, but above all, people decide about the success of the company and its development. Managers pay more and more attention to the education of their employees, care for their psycho-physical condition or attachment to the workplace. Such an approach builds the belief among managers that it is necessary to manage a company focused on employees and their development. This article attempts to show the theoretical impact of knowledge management and social potential of organization on its development. First, the author pointed out some of the definitions of knowledge and its characteristics, available in the literature. Next, the definitions of knowledge management are presented along with the benefits that are visible to the company using this concept. The second part of the article concerns social potential. It contains definitions of this concept along with the elements that decide about it. The author of the article cited also systemic actions undertaken by enterprises focusing on their social potential. There were mentioned and briefly described such issues as: learning organization, management of employees’ competencies, internal communication system, organizational network, teleworking system (flexible employment).