Measuring Knowledge: Towards a Quantitative Approach

Sheikh Shamim Hasnain

This is a conceptual and theoretical paper written with a view to constructing a quantitative measurement model of knowledge for the organisations. Knowledge of a firm is the total accumulated knowledge for its operational and administrative requirements. This study attempts to find out the ways of measuring knowledge quantitatively in the organisations. This paper is mainly based on literature on Knowledge Management (KM) and Strategic Management with a special emphasis to Walsh and Ungson’s (1991) sixretention bins and External Factor Analysis Summary (EFAS) of Maytag as adopted by Hunger and Wheelen (2002).The exhibited approaches provide quantitative techniques of knowledge measurement in the organisations. Organisations may calculate their total possession of knowledge numerically. A quantitative technique of knowledge measurement is developed which may be explored through empirical investigations. Knowledge managers do not have any tool box like finance managers by which they (knowledge managers) may identify the availability of knowledge and quantify those knowledge resources in their organisations. The quantitative approach to knowledge measurement is not addressed in the existing Knowledge Management (KM) literature. This paper advances the knowledge management process by prefixing a new element of ‘knowledge measurement’ to it (knowledge management process) and also exhibits the quantitative techniques to measurement knowledge in the organisation.