Learning in Knowlege Communities : managing technology and context
By: BARRETT, Michael; CAPPLEMAN, Sam; SHOIB, Gamila; WALSHAM, Geoff.
Material type: ArticlePublisher: Oxford : Elsevier, February 2004European Management Journal 22, 1, p. 1-11Abstract: In contemporary organizations, significant emphasis is placed on the processes of knowledge sharing and learning, which are increasingly seen as crucial to organizational success. Information and communication technologies play an important role in these areas, but to many there is a lack of clarity reagarding how such technologies can be best deployed. In this article, we provide a wide range of examples of where technologies has been used to support learning in knowledge communities, with varying degrees of success. We use this material to develop specific characterists of effective knowledge communities, and detail ways in which both the context and the technology should be managed. A key message we derive is that the maintenance of a supportive culture and context for learning and knowledge sharing is crucial, and that an integrated approach to technolog deployment and use needs to be developed in conjunction with this. We argue that actionin this arena is important for all levels and functions of management, not just senior managers or IT staff, since the support of effective learning and knowledge sharing in and between communities involves everyone in the organization in all job rolesIn contemporary organizations, significant emphasis is placed on the processes of knowledge sharing and learning, which are increasingly seen as crucial to organizational success. Information and communication technologies play an important role in these areas, but to many there is a lack of clarity reagarding how such technologies can be best deployed. In this article, we provide a wide range of examples of where technologies has been used to support learning in knowledge communities, with varying degrees of success. We use this material to develop specific characterists of effective knowledge communities, and detail ways in which both the context and the technology should be managed. A key message we derive is that the maintenance of a supportive culture and context for learning and knowledge sharing is crucial, and that an integrated approach to technolog deployment and use needs to be developed in conjunction with this. We argue that actionin this arena is important for all levels and functions of management, not just senior managers or IT staff, since the support of effective learning and knowledge sharing in and between communities involves everyone in the organization in all job roles
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