Paper Info
Title
Effects of information technologies, department characteristics and individual roles on improving knowledge sharing visibility: a qualitative case study
Abstract
Knowledge sharing visibility KSV is a critical environmental factor which can reduce social loafing in knowledge sharing KS. This is especially true in ICT-based KS in learning organisations. As such, it is imperative that we better understand how to design technology enabled knowledge management systems KMS to support high KSV. This article examines the impact of knowledge management technology functions e.g. tracking, knowledge storing on KSV through qualitative analysis of 16 semi-structured interviews with participants in a Chinese company. Impact and implications of use for their existing KMS are examined. This article also examined the effects of department characteristics i.e. group size and task characteristics and individual roles i.e. employee positions on the IT–KSV relationship. Results encourage applied statistical, tracking, knowledge distribution and knowledge storing functions for monitoring explicit KS, and suggest integration of visualised knowledge maps with communication tools e.g. Instant Messenger IM to support visibility for implicit KS. Findings also suggest that KM technologies are more salient on improving KSV in large department with routine tasks, and that low-level employees may have more positive attitude on accepting communication tools on sharing knowledge. Extension to use of Web 2.0 technologies e.g. weblogs in KMS is also explored.
Year
DOI
Venue
2012
10.1080/0144929X.2012.687770
Behaviour & IT
Keywords
Field
DocType
explicit ks,high ksv,ksv relationship,knowledge management system,knowledge distribution,visualised knowledge map,knowledge management technology function,information technology,ict-based ks,qualitative case study,knowledge sharing visibility ksv,individual role,communication tool,department characteristic,knowledge management systems,data analysis,knowledge management,learning organisation,videoconferencing,semi structured interviews,qualitative analysis,internet,group size,computer mediated communication,organizational development,research methodology,qualitative research,organizational effectiveness,social loafing
Social psychology,Social loafing,Knowledge sharing,Computer science,Information technology,Organization development,Design technology,Organizational effectiveness,Knowledge management,Computer-mediated communication,Information and Communications Technology
Journal
Volume
Issue
ISSN
31
11
0144-929X
Citations 
PageRank 
References 
24
0.84
21
Authors
3
Name
Order
Citations
PageRank
Xi Zhang130534.12
Doug Vogel22526462.94
Zhongyun Zhou3665.32