Knowledge Types, Mechanisms, and Media in Survey Aviation: Case Study and Implications

Effective knowledge management (KM) is predicated on understanding the knowledge types, knowledge mechanisms, and media (KTMM) that support organizational activities. Our study investigates KTMM in the context of low-altitude aerial surveying, a knowledge-intensive business process that relies on collaboration between aviators and observers to devise and execute procedures safely and efficiently. Through the case study method, we find that aerial surveyors rely primarily upon tacit knowledge and social mechanisms for knowledge capture and sharing. Additionally, we find a preference for rich visual communication media. Our study contributes knowledge in a hitherto unstudied context and provides insights on how KM occurs in a context where heterogeneous agents must collaborate. In addition, our study offers practical implications for KM system design and KM strategies.