Traditionally Knowledge Management has been explored within for-profit Global North
organisations. However, this research argues that Knowledge Management could be useful for
conservation organisations, but first needs to establish how Knowledge Management is
conceptualised within conservation organisations. To explore this, I have undertaken focused
ethnography across three conservation organisations classed as Global, Global North and Global
South, including interviews, participant observations, document analysis, research diary and
providing feedback reports and presentations to each organisation. The aim was firstly to explore
how each organisation conceptualised knowledge and Knowledge Management using the
Knowledge Management discourse Framework. Secondly, to establish whether the terms Global,
Global North and Global South influence the Knowledge Management or Knowledge Sharing, and
finally exploring the influence of technology on Knowledge Sharing, whilst linking back to the
Knowledge Management discourse Framework. Results found that Knowledge Management and
Knowledge Sharing are perceived differently depending on the epistemological assumptions, with
the organisations predominantly using a Neo-functionalist and Constructivist discourse. Moreover,
the terms Global, Global North and Global South, whilst had been heard of, were not overly used
within the organisations. Despite this, there were power tensions between the three organisations
over what was classed as knowledge and how it should be managed and shared, based on their role
within the partnership. With it being argued that the Global and GN organisations are influencing
approaches to Knowledge Management and Knowledge Sharing within the GS. Finally, technological
factors such as Online platforms, Digital Divide and Virtual working, can both facilitate and hinder
the Knowledge Management and Knowledge Sharing within and between all three organisations.
This research challenges, supports and highlights gaps within the current literature and it is hoped
that this research provides a platform for future Knowledge Management and Knowledge Sharing
research within the conservation sector.
