ABOUT THE CONFERENCE
 It is well recognized that sustained growth and productivity are the fundamental requirements
for achieving higher standards of living and for enhancing the economic competitiveness of any
country. In the emerging knowledge economy, productivity growth will increasingly depend
upon innovations and upon investments in the information and communications technology
sector and in the development of human capital. Productivity movements all over the world are
now rightly focusing on the need to create, adopt and gain from their knowledge capabilities.
Considering the importance of the proper management of knowledge resources in achieving
the national goal of becoming a global leader in the knowledge economy, the Ministry of
Communications and Information Technology, Government of India, sponsored a project that
would encourage research studies in this area to help identify the policy measures that need
to be taken by the government. The project is being jointly executed by four institutions: the
Indian Institutes of Technology, Roorkee and Madras, the International Management Institute,
New Delhi, and the National Productivity Council of India. The project methodology includes
research, dissemination of information and the organization of symposia and conferences. This
conference is part of that project.
The National Productivity Council organized the First International Conference on “Knowledge
Management for Productivity and Competitiveness” in January 2007 in association with the
Asian Productivity Organization (APO) and the International Society for Professional Innovation
Management (ISPIM) and supported by the partner institutions of the project. That conference
was attended by about 150 national and international delegates, who were addressed by
over 30 speakers from different function specializations. The conference revealed several major
issues for further study and exploration.
The present and second conference entitled “Technology and Innovation for Knowledge
Management” is a logical sequel to the issues identified by the first conference. Incidentally, as
already pointed out, this conference also coincides with the 50th anniversary of the NPC and
the productivity movement in India. I would like to congratulate the organization and all the
people associated with it on this occasion. As India is poised to become increasingly integrated
into the global economy, it is essential that it utilizes the tools and techniques of knowledge
management to further more inclusive and sustainable development.
The APO has already identified KM as a focal thrust area and is helping the national productivity
organizations in its member countries to develop their capacities to offer consultancy and
training services and to introduce KM techniques towards improving the productivity of
various enterprises. The APO has supported this conference in a big way by sponsoring the
participation of a large number of international delegates and by inviting a number of wellknown
international experts to share their knowledge with the attendees.
This conference aims to share with the delegates the results of various research and dissemination
undertakings that have been carried out by a range of organizations and to deliberate on
policy issues that need to be pursued. The conference will also provide an ideal platform for
identifying the tools and techniques required for a more appropriate utilization of technology
and for the proper promotion of innovation in organizations. The conference aims to create a
network of KM practitioners who can continue to interact and contribute to the development
of a knowledge productivity society long after the end of this conference.
The conference is being attended by international and national delegates from governments,
productivity organizations, various industry sectors, academic institutions, and research and
voluntary organizations. This intermingling and knowledge churning among the various
and diverse knowledge stakeholders, I am certain, will bring out interesting suggestions and
recommendations for further follow-up.
I once again welcome all the participants and request you to participate actively in the conference
and contribute to its success.
Brijesh Kumar
Chairman, Conference Advisory Committee
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