Relevant to: Research, Policy, Practice, General Public
Sector: Cross-sectoral
Summary: This paper sets out the core concept of K* – an overarching concept and a useful shorthand to collectively describe the various related terms associated with the field of knowledge sharing.

This paper sets out the core concept of K* and the principles shared by all of its component functions and processes in the field of knowledge sharing. The concept paper draws on contributions and case studies from participants at a conference held in 2012 in Ontario, Canada, hosted by the United Nations University – Institute for Water, Environment and Health. The term K* (K-Star) was coined as an overarching concept and as a useful shorthand to collectively describe the various related terms associated with the field of knowledge sharing. The K* concept offers common language and sets out the common principles shared by all K* component functions and processes. The paper sets out a framework for thinking about, assessing and developing a shared understanding of the various component functions of knowledge sharing. The K* concept incorporates the various forms of knowledge, including explicit and tacit knowledge, individual and communal knowledge, and knowledge related to both content and process. This paper will be useful to a wide audience, whether they be in research, policy or practice. It provides a baseline understanding and common terminology among the global community of K* practitioners.

This annotated bibliography was developed from the following paper:
Shaxson, L and Bielak AT (2012) Expanding our understanding of K* (KT, KE, KTT, KMb, KM, etc): A concept paper emerging from the K* conference held in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, April 2012. UNU-INWEH, Hamilton ON, 30pp + appendices