This whitepaper discusses knowledge management in virtual environments. It begins by defining different types of knowledge, including explicit vs implicit knowledge. It then discusses how virtual environments can be used for knowledge management, including training in dangerous or non-existent environments without risk. Virtual environments allow for knowledge transfer and storage, as well as cooperative knowledge sharing between users. Examples of knowledge types that can be managed include procedural, behavioral, and structural knowledge. The whitepaper also discusses using augmented reality to validate simulation models by comparing them to real-world scenarios. Overall, virtual environments provide opportunities for teaching, learning, cooperation, and documentation.

1. Whitepaper
Knowledge Management in Virtual
Environments
Mastering Complexity
© Competence Centre for Virtual Reality and Cooperative Engineering w. V. – Virtual Dimension Center (VDC)
Dr.-Ing. Dipl.-Kfm. Christoph Runde
Virtual Dimension Center (VDC) Fellbach
Auberlenstr. 13
70736 Fellbach
www.vdc-fellbach.de
Mastering Complexity

2. Information = Data + specific decision problem, order, structure
Knowledge = Information + subjective attitudes, assumptions, theories,
conclusions [Bühner 2001]
Explicit knowledge vs. implicit knowledge (difficult to communicate, barely
formalizable, tacit) [Bullinger 2003]
Basic knowledge types [Wiig 1995]:
Factual knowledge
Categorisation knowledge and knowledge types
xxx:
xxx
Content:
Knowledge
classification
VEs for knowledge
management
Augmented Reality AR
Outlook
Factual knowledge
Concept knowledge
Empirical knowledge
Mehod knowledge
Basic knowledge types [Zahn 2000]:
Know-How
Know-Why
Know-What
Cooperation in front of large-scale
projection

3. Necessary in simulation/ visualization environment:
possibility to enter, backup and query knowledge
Strength of the virtual environment approach:
Dealing with implicit knowledge possible
Easier transfer into reality with high level of realism
Virtual environments for knowledge management
xxx:
xxx
Content:
Knowledge
classification
VEs for knowledge
management
Augmented Reality AR
Outlook
Easier transfer into reality with high level of realism
Avoid training in dangerous environments
Avoid training in costly environments
Training in non-existent environments (e.g. future
facilities, machines, plants, ...): improve startup
Scenario simulation
[Lathan 2002, Munro 2002]

4. Possible types of knowledge to be managed in virtual environments [Munro 2002]:
Position knowledge
Structural knowledge
Behavioral Sciences
Procedure knowledge
Virtual environments for knowledge management
Learning environment control
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xxx
Content:
Knowledge
classification
VEs for knowledge
management
Augmented Reality AR
Outlook
Possibilities of learning in virtual environments [Wickens 1995]:
Spatial exploration
Conceptual learning
Learning motoric abilities
Procedural learning
Important delimitation: virtual environments make it possible to learn things which is
not stored in them explicitly, such as motoric abilities
Learning environment use of
tools

5. Types of tasks of knowledge transfer and securing of
knowledge in virtual environments [Runde 2007]:
1. Teaching and learning tasks:
Knowledge transfer, user training
Result: increased knowledge of the user
2. Cooperative tasks:
Mutual exchange of knowledge, virtual environment as
Virtual environments for knowledge management
Learning environment control
xxx:
xxx
Content:
Knowledge
classification
VEs for knowledge
management
Augmented Reality AR
Outlook
Mutual exchange of knowledge, virtual environment as
a mediator, simultaneous vs. delayed, locally
concentrated vs. locally distributed
Result: Cooperatively assessed or designed object of
observation
3. Documentary tasks:
Save information for later call
Result: virtual environment with documentary
information
Distributed cooperate environment
Documentation of system components

6. Validation of simulation parameters by
comparison of simulation and reality via fading
the simulation result on real object
Crash test: does the structural model behave
realistically?
Simulation model validation with Augmented Reality (AR)
xxx:
xxx
Content:
Knowledge
classification
VEs for knowledge
management
Augmented Reality AR
Outlook
Aerodynamics: does the fluidics model
behave realistically?
Subsequent: return/ transfer findings into
simulation model
Simulation result crash data
superimposed with test vehicle
Simulation result aerodynamics
superimposed with test vehicle

7. Many of the presented approaches are at
least prototypically realized already
Future challenges:
Haptic environments, power reflection
(supportive necessary for motor learning)
Fast generation of storylines ("story
Outlook
xxx:
xxx
Content:
Knowledge
classification
VEs for knowledge
management
Augmented Reality AR
Outlook
Fast generation of storylines ("story
boarding")
Administration, organization, structuring of
stored knowledge
Possibly approaches from Serious Games can
be taken over: story boarding, scenario
design, strategies, user characteristics, user
administration, cooperation
Assistant Steve of the University of Southern
California explains, what has to be done
Daimon in Stoneglow
complex action scenarios implemented

8. Bühner 2001 Bühner, R.: Management-Lexikon. 1. Aufl. München, Wien (Österreich): Oldenbourg, 2001
Bullinger 2003 Bullinger, H.-J.; Warnecke, H.-J.; Westkämper, E. (Hrsg.): Neue Organisationsformen im
Unternehmen. Ein Handbuch für das moderne Management. Berlin, u.a.: Springer, 2003
Lathan 2002 Lathan, C.E.; Tracey, M.R.; Sebrechts, M.; Clawson, D.; Higgins, G.: Using Virtual Environments as
Training Simulators: Measuring Transfer. In: Stanney, K.M. (Hrsg.): Handbook of Virtual
Environments. Design, Implementation, and Applications. Mahwah/New Jersey/ USA: Erlbaum,
2002, S. 403-414
Munro 2002 Munro, A.; Breaux, R.; Patrey, J.; Sheldon, B.: Cognitive Aspects of Virtual Environments Design. In:
Stanney, K.M. (Hrsg.): Handbook of Virtual Environments. Design, Implementation, and
Literature
xxx:
xxx
Content:
Knowledge
classification
VEs for knowledge
management
Augmented Reality AR
Outlook
Stanney, K.M. (Hrsg.): Handbook of Virtual Environments. Design, Implementation, and
Applications. Mahwah/New Jersey/USA: Erlbaum, 2002, S. 415-434
Runde 2007 Runde, C.: Konzeption und Einführung von Virtueller Realität als Komponente der Digitalen Fabrik in
Industrieunternehmen. Stuttgart, Univ., Fak. Maschinenbau, Inst. für Industrielle Fertigung und
Fabrikbetrieb, Diss. 2007, Heimsheim :Jost-Jetter Verlag, 2007
Wickens 1995 Wickens, B.: Cognitive Issues in Virtual Reality. In: Barfield, W.; Furness, T.A. (Hrsg.): Virtual
environments and advanced interface design. New York/USA, Oxford/UK: Oxford University Press,
1995, S. 514-541
Wiig 1995 Wiig, K.M.: Knowledge Management Methods. Practical Approaches to Managing Knowledge.
Arlington/Texas/USA: Schema Press, 1995
Zahn 2000 Zahn, E.; Foschiani, S.; Tilebein, M.: Nachhaltige Wettbewerbsvorteile durch Wissensmanagement.
In: Krallmann, H. (Hrsg.): Wettbewerbsvorteile durch Wissensmanagement; Methodik und
Anwendungen des Knowledge Management. Stuttgart: Schäffer-Poeschel, 2000, S. 239-270

9. Thank you very much for your interest!
You are interested in this topic and you are looking for contact persons/
implementation partners? Please contact us.
© Competence Centre for Virtual Reality and Cooperative Engineering w. V. – Virtual Dimension Center (VDC)
Virtual Dimension Center (VDC) Fellbach
Auberlenstraße 13
70736 Fellbach
www.vdc-fellbach.de