Knowledge Management Research & Practice

Intelligent Knowledge Management Systems: Integrating Human and AI Cognition for Organizational Innovation

Background and Motivation

The intersection of Knowledge Management (KM) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming how organizations create, share, and apply knowledge to pursue sustainability. In this context, 'intelligent knowledge' refers to the management of knowledge systems that dynamically combine human cognitive capacities with advanced AI-driven tools and models to facilitate ethical, inclusive, and purpose-driven innovation. This Special Issue examines how intelligent knowledge management systems can enhance organizations’ innovation capacity and align their efforts with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) commitments and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The convergence of Knowledge Management (KM) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly recognized as a pivotal driver for advancing organizational sustainability in the digital era. In today’s complex business landscape, organizations face challenges in developing intelligent knowledge systems—AI-augmented frameworks designed to support sustainable decision-making, foster innovation, and ensure strategic alignment with long-term value creation goals (Haefner et al., 2021; Davenport & Ronanki, 2018). In this context, the emergence of generative AI and large language models (LLMs) is transforming knowledge processes, enabling organizations to dynamically retrieve, synthesize, and apply knowledge to address complex sustainability challenges (Brown et al., 2020; Kaplan & Haenlein, 2019).

While traditional Knowledge Management (KM) has primarily focused on the systematic processes of creating, storing, sharing, and applying knowledge (Nonaka, 2009; Alavi & Leidner, 2001), the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) introduces new dimensions of computational intelligence that enhance and, in some cases, automate these foundational functions. AI-driven technologies are increasingly supporting knowledge-based decision-making (Russell & Norvig, 2016; Raisch & Krakowski, 2021), thereby fostering the emergence of intelligent knowledge systems that can reason, learn, and act based on context-aware insights to promote sustainable and purpose-driven outcomes. Within KM theory, the enduring distinction between tacit and explicit knowledge (Polanyi, 1966; Nonaka & von Krogh, 2009) remains highly relevant: while AI excels in processing and managing explicit knowledge (Davenport & Prusak, 1998), the challenge of capturing and leveraging tacit knowledge persists, particularly in enabling meaningful and ethical human-AI collaboration (Jarrahi, 2018; Sanzogni et al., 2017). Recent studies emphasize that AI should be viewed as augmenting, rather than replacing, human expertise in sustainability-oriented knowledge work (Acharya et al., 2025; Iaia et al., 2023), thereby reaffirming the centrality of co-creation within contemporary knowledge management (KM) frameworks (Bolisani & Bratianu, 2017).

The evolution of KM in the AI era thus calls for new conceptual models and dynamic strategies that can support knowledge environments aligned with long-term sustainability objectives (Bratianu et al., 2023; Lönnqvist et al., 2022). As organizations strive to integrate human and AI cognition into their knowledge systems, the ability to flexibly interact with and adapt through AI-generated insights becomes a defining capability for intelligent knowledge management. Importantly, the impact of AI on organizational learning and strategic knowledge flows must be critically assessed from a sustainability perspective, recognizing that AI technologies can either enhance or threaten knowledge-based resilience and responsible innovation (Del Giudice & Maggioni, 2021). Generative AI and machine learning models, in particular, are reshaping the landscape of KM, revolutionizing how organizations capture, synthesize, and apply knowledge to create sustainable value. However, while large language models (LLMs) and AI-driven knowledge repositories significantly increase the speed and scope of knowledge retrieval and decision support (Kaplan & Haenlein, 2019; Linkon et al., 2024), they also introduce critical risks related to epistemic validity, algorithmic bias, and the sustainability of automated knowledge production (Jobin et al., 2019; Mittelstadt et al., 2016). These challenges are especially acute when AI-generated knowledge informs decisions with significant social or environmental implications, where the accuracy, contextual sensitivity, and ethical integrity of outputs are vital for maintaining organizational trust, legitimacy, and long-term innovation capacity.

Building on these foundations, this Special Issue aims to foster a deeper understanding of how intelligent knowledge systems, powered by the integration of AI technologies, human cognition, and contemporary KM practices, are transforming the pursuit of sustainability, innovation, and responsible governance within organizations. We invite contributions that critically explore how human-AI collaboration can be harnessed to develop resilient, ethical, and sustainability-oriented knowledge ecosystems. Beyond conceptual and theoretical contributions, we particularly encourage empirical studies that provide evidence-based insights into how intelligent knowledge processes enhance sustainability performance, strengthen ESG strategies, and promote adaptive, long-term value creation. Given the transformative impact of AI on knowledge flows and strategic decision-making, special attention will be devoted to research that examines the capabilities, limitations, and practical applications of AI-enabled knowledge systems, including generative AI tools and large language models (LLMs), in advancing sustainable organizational practices.

Topics and Research Questions
We welcome original research contributions, including conceptual, empirical, and methodological studies, addressing, but not limited to, the following topics:

• The design of intelligent knowledge systems integrating AI technologies and human cognitive capacities.
• Reimagining knowledge management (KM) practices to align with ESG commitments and sustainable development goals (SDGs).
• Human-AI collaboration models to augment human expertise in knowledge work.
• The transformative impact of generative AI and large language models (LLMs) on knowledge processes.
• Integrating Human cognitive systems with AI-enabled technologies;
• Human-based emotional knowledge and AI-based rational knowledge;
• Challenges in Managing Tacit and Explicit Knowledge in AI-Enhanced Knowledge Management Environments.
• Development of transformative leadership competencies for navigating digital complexity and fostering sustainable innovation.
• Strategic knowledge intelligence approaches for building resilience, responsible innovation, and adaptive capabilities.
• Democratization of knowledge access and support for inclusive value co-creation through intelligent knowledge systems.
• Risks and challenges of automated knowledge production and ensuring the sustainability of AI-generated knowledge.
• Governance models and policy frameworks to guide the ethical evolution of intelligent knowledge systems.

Keywords
Knowledge Management, Intelligent Knowledge, Generative AI, Sustainable Organizations, ESG, Transformative Leadership, Organizational Learning, Aesthetic Technologies

Timeline
The timeline of this special issue is as follows:
Submission dates: January 15th, 2026 to June 15th, 2026.
Review process: On a rolling basis from June 2026 to October 2026.

References
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Guest Editor Profiles

Professor Giovanni Schiuma is a internationally recognized thought leader in knowledge and innovation management, serving as a Full Professor and Director of the Department of Engineering at LUM University in Italy. As a Fulbright Scholar at Seton Hall University, Professor Schiuma has held prestigious positions, including Director of the Innovation Insights Hub and Professor of Arts-Based Management at the University of the Arts London. His expertise in arts-driven innovation and knowledge-based organizational development has made him a sought-after consultant and speaker worldwide. As President of the International Forum on Knowledge Assets Dynamics (IFKAD). He has authored an d co-authored over 250 scholarly publications and international engagements at leading institutions such as the University of Cambridge, Cranfield School of Management, and University of Tampere, Professor Schiuma is an inspiring communicator and facilitator known for his creative and innovative approach to solving strategic research and organizational challenges. His work is marked by an exceptional ability to integrate the arts into business practices, driving human-centric innovation in an increasingly digital world.

Professor Péter Baranyi is a leading figure in the field of cognitive infocommunications and a full professor at Corvinus University of Budapest. He holds a Ph.D. in Informatics, awarded in 1999, and earned his Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) degree from the Hungarian Academy of Sciences in 2006. Throughout his career, Prof. Baranyi has made significant contributions to both theoretical and applied research, particularly through the development of the Tensor Product (TP) model transformation, a breakthrough method that has advanced nonlinear control theory and optimization processes. Around 2010, he introduced and helped establish the scientific discipline of Cognitive Infocommunications (CogInfoCom), a field dedicated to studying the co-evolution of human cognitive capabilities and infocommunication technologies. His work in this area has been internationally recognized, earning him several prestigious awards, including the STA Award from the Japan Science and Technology Corporation, the International Dennis Gabor Award, and the Sigma Xi Young Investigator Award. Prof. Baranyi's research path has been shaped by numerous international collaborations, having worked at esteemed institutions such as The Chinese University of Hong Kong, CNRS LAAS in France, the University of New South Wales in Australia, the Technical University of Duisburg in Germany, Tokyo University and the Gifu Research Institute in Japan, and the University of Hull in the United Kingdom. Currently, he leads the Center for Cognitive Infocommunications at Corvinus University, where he continues to drive interdisciplinary research that bridges cognitive sciences and information technologies. Prof. Baranyi's career reflects a deep commitment to innovation, academic excellence, and the continuous exploration of how emerging technologies can enhance human cognitive and communication capacities.

Dr. Francesco Santarsiero is a researcher and adjunct professor at the University of Basilicata and LUM Giuseppe Degennaro University at the University of Basilicata, where he teaches courses on organizational management, digital transformation, innovation, and cultural heritage management. At LUM, he lectures in the Department of Engineering, contributing to Management and Computer Engineering programs. He holds a PhD in "Cities and Landscapes" from the University of Basilicata, where his research focused on digital transformation strategies and business model innovation in the tourism and cultural sectors. During his doctoral studies, he was a visiting scholar at Tampere University in Finland, where he further explored innovation management topics. His main research interests include innovation management, digital transformation, innovation labs, and digital entrepreneurship. He has published widely in international journals and has been involved in European projects such as Erasmus+ and innovation initiatives.

Prof. Dr. Dagmara Lewicka is a Full Professor and Chair of Enterprise Management at the Faculty of Management, AGH University of Science and Technology in Krakow, Poland. Her research focuses on organizational behavior, knowledge management, leadership, and innovation management, with particular attention to the development of sustainable and human-centered management practices. She has published extensively in leading academic journals and actively collaborates on international research projects. Prof. Lewicka is committed to advancing interdisciplinary approaches to enterprise management, integrating insights from knowledge management, organizational development, and technology-driven innovation.