While effective knowledge management (KM) can only be achieved through conversation, collaboration, community and complex interactions, some foundational masterworks are useful.

Beware! It is important to steer clear of books from specious ‘institutes,’ dopey ‘councils’ and malignant narcissists otherwise known as ‘thought leaders.’ These are just sales instruments for bespoke methods and questionable techniques. They are rather useless.

Also, the ‘pop’ management books are fun, but mostly lack any nutritive value.

In short, “Beware of Greeks Bearing Gifts" such as greedy KM conference purveyors and their self-absorbed keynote speakers.

Rather, focus on authentic KM tomes. Some important recommendations are –

“The Production and distribution of Knowledge in the United States” (Princeton 1961)

http://networksingularity.com/2010/04/05/the-production-and-distribution-of-knowledge.aspx

“The Knowledge Creating Company” by friend and colleague Ikujuro Nonaka –

http://networksingularity.com/2010/04/27/nonaka--wirtschaftsuniversitaumlt-wien-part-i.aspx

and, of course, for practitioners, Everett’s “Diffusion of Innovations.”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diffusion_of_innovations

Meanwhile, if you are courageous, and REALLY wish to understand KM, read “Identity and Control,” and “Markets from Networks” by the great Harrison White –

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harrison_White

All of these would make a fine main course for a big KM feast. If you want a quick appetizer, study –

http://www.econlib.org/library/Essays/hykKnw1.html