Developing the core principles of responsible knowledge management (rKM): Chapter 3 – Research framework
This article introduces Chapter 3 of a series featuring my Master’s thesis The Emerging Concept of Responsible Knowledge Management (rKM): Identifying and Formulating the Core Principles of rKM.
The study of rKM requires a framework that accommodates its conceptual complexity, interdisciplinary nature, and emergent status. As a concept that challenges traditional KM paradigms, rKM calls for an approach that synthesises knowledge, highlighting aspects that differ.
This thesis is positioned within the theoretical, qualitative research tradition that accentuates the interpretative nature of knowledge construction. The methodological choices reflect the researcher’s desire to discover the core principles of rKM by identifying emergent codes, categories and concepts through an integrative literature review (ILR) and grounded theory (GT) analysis of specific academic texts.
This chapter outlines the ontological and epistemological positioning of the thesis before detailing the methodological choices employed.
The sections of Chapter 3 are:
- 3.1 & 3.2 – Ontological and epistemological foundations & methodological approach
- 3.2.1 – Why the integrative literature review approach
- 3.2.2 – Grounded theory extrapolation
- 3.2.3 – Ensuring rigour and validity
Next part: Sections 3.1 & 3.2 – Ontological and epistemological foundations & methodological approach.
Article source: Koskinen, H. M. (2025). The Emerging Concept of Responsible Knowledge Management (rKM): Identifying and Formulating the Core Principles of rKM. (Master’s Thesis, LUT University).
Header image source: Created by Hanna M. Koskinen using ChatGPT.
