The emerging knowledge-based economies in the Asia Pacific region call for new ways of managing organisations and doing business. Companies are beginning to see the potential for substantial benefits to materialise through a systematic effort to manage organisational knowledge assets and flows.

Last year, the conference focussed on Knowledge Management as an emerging management issue in Asia Pacific. This year, we will learn from leading companies that are making considerable investments in transforming their organisations into knowledge-based operations. The number of companies actively involved in a broad range of knowledge management initiatives is clearly increasing, and some of the best examples will be showcased at this event.

There is also a need for a deeper, more pragmatic understanding of the social, behavioural and cultural aspects of knowledge creation, sharing and usage. If knowledge is regarded as a human and organisational capability that needs to be cultivated rather than a thing that can be "managed", perhaps we need to rethink traditional forms of managing and leading an organisation.

Based on this perception of knowledge, what are the implications for managers who want to leverage the knowledge assets of their organisations? When will firms achieve a payoff for investing in their intangible assets?

We have invited practitioners, experts and academics from a wide range of industries to an intensive two-day networking and learning event. Representatives and speakers from the Asia Pacific region will attend as well as parties from organisations in other parts of the world that are setting standards of best practice in Knowledge Management. The conference offers plenary sessions with leading Knowledge Management thinkers and practitioners, smaller sessions on a variety of practical knowledge management topics, interactive workshops, and an exhibition showing the latest products and tools to support Knowledge.

We wish you an inspiring conference.

Waltraut Ritter
Conference Programme Director
Mindtheme Consulting Ltd.

Hong Kong