The 8th International Knowledge Management Conference was held

 

According to the Public Relations and the Website of Khatam University Reporter, the 8th International Knowledge Management Conference and Award (KM4D), with a focus on Knowledge-Based Smartization, was held through the efforts of the Iran Management Association in cooperation with Khatam University, with the participation of experts and specialists and the presentation of the latest scientific findings in the field of knowledge management. The event took place on the afternoon of Wednesday, Mehr 16, 1404 (October 8, 2025) at Khatam University in Tehran.

 

At the opening of the conference, Dr. Majid Ghasemi, Head of the Policy Council of the 8th International Knowledge Management Conference, Chairman of the Board of the Iran Management Association, and President of Khatam University, considered the coincidence of the conference with the celebrations of Mehregan a good omen. In his speech entitled “Organizational Intelligence and the Development of Smart Organizations,” he stated that organizational intelligence is the dissemination of knowledge, skills, data, and insights throughout an organization and its business partner ecosystem, in order to combine these elements to achieve specific goals and solve specific problems.

 

He described organizational intelligence as a function of applied intelligence, actors, the combination of actors, organizational architecture, and organizational culture. Regarding the prerequisites for developing smart organizations, he emphasized that organizations must adopt specific strategies for business transformation in order to become smart organizations.

 

Dr. Ghasemi further noted that individual intelligence, collective intelligence, automated intelligence, augmented intelligence, and augmented collective intelligence constitute different types of intelligence within organizations. He stated that designing a smart organization requires the realization of six principles: the principle of augmentation, connectivity, substitution, diversity, participation, and explication.

Following this, a specialized panel titled “The Functions of Wisdom in Knowledge Management Leadership” was held with the participation of Dr. Shahin A’vani, Head of the Philosophy Department at the Faculty of Humanities of Khatam University, and Dr. Esmail Mansouri Larijani, faculty member of Imam Hossein University (AS), and chaired by Dr. Azar Saeimian, Secretary of the Iran Management Association and Secretary of the Supreme Council of the Conference.

 

At the beginning of the session, Dr. Saeimian stated that wisdom and its general levels can have different approaches in terms of depth and scope. She emphasized that individuals must define their own level, recognizing that it is impossible to be an expert at all levels. Reaching deeper levels requires significant reflection and effort. Wisdom, she added, can be dangerous if it is not transformed into action, and this danger may be either hidden or apparent.

 

Subsequently, in response to a question regarding the difference between intelligence, reason, knowledge, and wisdom, Dr. Mansouri Larijani explained that in philosophy, intelligence refers to the mind’s attention to something, which in philosophical terms is called intentionality, the reference of which is human reason. He also referred to another type of reason emphasized by Avicenna, known as divine reason. He stated that the extent to which humans benefit from reason determines their level of wisdom; if a person reflects upon their divine reason, they can attain wisdom.

 

He further noted that reason is not confined by time and place, and regarding the type of wisdom required in organizations, he stated that what is necessary in the field of organization and management is hikmah (wisdom), which is knowledge of the essence of a thing, whereas reason is knowledge of its form.

 

Dr. A’vani also addressed this topic by referring to the views of the German philosopher Immanuel Kant. She explained that in the Critique of Pure Reason and the Critique of Practical Reason, Kant seeks to show that humans must have a perspective on the world in which they live. Theoretical reason provides this perspective and directs us toward understanding the external world, while in practical reason we share common values. There, science takes shape; here, humanity. According to Kant, if we possess oral and written knowledge but lack action, our practical reason has not been realized.

 

As part of the continuation of the conference, a message from Professor Anders Brändner, President of the Austrian Knowledge Management Association, was broadcast. In his message, he emphasized the need for simultaneous support of knowledge management and artificial intelligence in organizations. Referring to the importance of having a knowledge management structure in large organizations for knowledge sharing, he stated that such a structure can enhance innovation and serve as a key factor in social development.

 

He then presented a definition of artificial intelligence, adding that today AI can learn from data and systems can interact with humans. Under such conditions, strengthening knowledge management in organizations through AI systems can help improve operations. He emphasized that this is no longer a luxury but has become an undeniable necessity.

 

Next, Dr. Kaveh Mohammad Sirus, faculty member of the Faculty of Industrial Engineering and Management Systems at Amirkabir University of Technology, delivered a lecture entitled “The Technology Spillover Matrix: A Framework for Knowledge Creation and Transfer for Economic Growth.” He began by sharing tangible examples from his personal experiences to define the concept of spillover, explaining that spillover involves multiple factors, including providers and recipients. In spillover processes, providers are rarely seeking to formally present proposals to recipients; instead, acquisition occurs automatically based on need.

 

He then emphasized the importance of applying this concept across various industries and noted that in the global technology arena, countries such as China, South Korea, Japan, and India are currently experiencing technological spillovers with minimal gaps among them. Countries like Brazil, Argentina, and Eastern European nations have also made efforts in this area, though with limited success. An example of spillover can be seen in the toy industry, where many modern toys are derived from military and defense industries.

 

This faculty member also identified the availability of appropriate human resources, attracting investment, and reducing the gap with global technology as essential prerequisites for achieving spillover.

 

Additionally, Dr. Mohsen Ghadami, management instructor and consultant, in his lecture titled “Integration and Alignment between the Knowledge Management School and Intelligent Living Systems,” reviewed the history of industrial revolutions. He stated that the era of the network revolution (virtual reality and cybersecurity) goes far beyond a simple technological transformation and represents a fundamental turning point in the history of human civilization. This emerging revolution is not only dependent on artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things but also encompasses a complex and coordinated combination of virtual reality technologies, advanced cybersecurity, and powerful AI.

 

He then addressed the concept of the circular economy, explaining that it is an intelligent economic model in complete contrast to the traditional linear model (extraction, production, and disposal). The primary goal of this model is to eliminate the concept of waste, meaning products are designed from the outset to be recyclable rather than disposable.

 

Subsequently, a panel aimed at introducing best knowledge practices was held, chaired by Dr. Ali Asghar Pourmand, Vice President of the Iran Management Association, with the participation of Engineer Farshid Momeni Farahani, Head of Training and Knowledge Management at Tehran Oil Refining Company; Dr. Zahra Ansari, Senior Expert in AI Analysis and Foresight at Isfahan Oil Refining Company; Dr. Ghasem Khajehvandi, Director of Knowledge Management at Abadan Oil Refining Company; and Dr. Hadi Malekian, Director of Organizational Knowledge at Malek Ashtar University of Technology.

 

In this specialized panel, Engineer Momeni introduced the model for extracting lessons learned from incidents at Tehran Oil Refining Company. Dr. Ansari presented the dedicated intelligent assistant of Isfahan Oil Refining Company. Dr. Khajehvandi discussed the experience of implementing intelligent knowledge hubs in industrial departments, and Dr. Malekian addressed the implementation of an intelligent knowledge management system.

 

During this session, Dr. Pourmand also shared two of his personal experiences in knowledge management within the industry and mining sectors. Emphasizing the importance of individuals who strive to create wealth for the country, he stated that the true value of knowledge and scientific production lies in honoring those who create wealth, not in undermining or disparaging them.

 

Finally, as part of the closing programs of the 8th International Knowledge Management Conference, the final statement of the event was read, and the awards of the 8th Knowledge Management Award were presented to the selected winners.