The physical environment within the organization is often taken for granted, but it is another important foundation upon which knowledge management rests. Key aspects of the physical environment include:

• the design of buildings and the separation between them;
• the location, size, and type of offices;
• the type, number, and nature of meeting rooms; and so on.

Physical environment can foster knowledge management by providing opportunities for employees to meet and share ideas. Coffee rooms, cafeterias, water coolers, and hallways do provide venues where employees learn from and share insights with each other.