A MULTIPLE-LAYER KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FRAMEWORK CONSIDERING USER KNOWLEDGE PRIVILEGES

Abstract

Success in a knowledge economy requires effectively using existing knowledge to create new knowledge. Security for knowledge sharing in enterprises is critical for protecting intellectual assets. This study develops the functional framework of a knowledge management system (KMS) with knowledge access control for effectively and securely sharing knowledge within an enterprise or across teams. The functional framework of the proposed KMS includes the following nine layers: user interface layer, knowledge access control and security layer, knowledge representation layer, knowledge process layer, conceptual knowledge layer, knowledge index layer, transport layer, middleware layer and physical knowledge layer. A method of conceptual knowledge representation in the knowledge representation layer is then proposed. Finally, an ontology-based knowledge access control model based on role-based access control (RBAC) model and the conceptual knowledge representation method is proposed for managing user knowledge privileges in a knowledge sharing enterprise. The proposed method can enhance (1) precision in describing knowledge and knowledge relationships, (2) ensure security of knowledge access and sharing within an enterprise and (3) accurately and rapidly identify user knowledge access privileges.