Title: The Kiel maturity model as a future-oriented mindset for sustainable knowledge management processes

Authors: Saskia Bochert; Stephan Schneider; Doris Weßels

Addresses: Faculty of Business Management, University of Applied Sciences Kiel, Sokratesplatz 2, 24149 Kiel, Germany ' Faculty of Business Management, University of Applied Sciences Kiel, Sokratesplatz 2, 24149 Kiel, Germany ' Faculty of Business Management, University of Applied Sciences Kiel, Sokratesplatz 2, 24149 Kiel, Germany

Abstract: Sustainability can be understood as the concept of being in business permanently. This interpretation leads to an 'attitude' based on long-term thinking and value-driven activities to realise organisational benefits. The key basis for sustainable management processes in our knowledge-driven economy is formed by organisational knowledge and learning processes. But how can a manager with such an attitude concretely implement sustainability in his strategic work? What are the main assets in his specific organisation? How does the roadmap for the sustainability strategy - optimised for his organisation - look like? This paper provides answers and offers with the Kiel maturity model an innovative approach for practitioners with a scientific underpinning. It aims to facilitate the implementation of an individualised knowledge management as the main asset that focuses on organisational learning. In our knowledge-based society, the importance of organisational knowledge and learning strongly increases. In this paper, knowledge and learning are seen as the most relevant asset group. The Kiel maturity model focuses this asset group and offers for future-oriented management leaders an individual adaptable framework for developing their specific sustainability roadmap.

Keywords: knowledge management; KM; meta-learning; sustainability; learning organisations; future-oriented management; Kiel maturity model; sustainable management processes; organisational learning; organisational knowledge.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSE.2016.079443

International Journal of Sustainable Economy, 2016 Vol.8 No.4, pp.312 - 323

Received: 17 Dec 2015
Accepted: 05 Apr 2016
Published online: 28 Sep 2016 *

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