New Inquiring Systems as Kernel Theories for Knowledge Management: The Case of the Sense Man System

This paper details a conceptual extension of inquiring systems to help in environments of high complexity and uncertainty that is based on the concept of sense making. The conceptual inquiring system was then used as a kernel theory to guide the design of a knowledge management system designed to assist a local government agency with knowledge management issues in a complex, uncertain software environment. Both the conceptual system and the knowledge management system are discussed as well as an evaluation of the systems efficacy in promoting sense making in the organization.