Intra-organisational information and knowledge sharing : exploring persistent barriers

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT:When studying information and knowledge management case studies, it becomesevident that barriers to information and knowledge sharing persist, even in organisationsthat are lauded for their IKM initiatives. This study set out to probe why this is the case.To this end the study explored persistent barriers to information and knowledge sharingthrough an investigation of a Most Admired Knowledge Enterprise (MAKE) awardwinning organisation. It was predicted that the persistent barriers would correspond tothe characteristics of organisations as complex social systems. Results indicated that thepersistent barriers identified in the MAKE award winning organisation mirror thecharacteristics of complex social systems.The findings suggest one possible explanation for the persistence of barriers toinformation and knowledge sharing, namely that these barriers are rooted in the natureof organisations as complex systems. Viewing poor information and knowledge flowsthrough a complex social systems lens draws attention to the 'wicked' nature of theissue, i.e. the reality that persistent barriers form interacting meshes that can at best bemitigated but not eliminated. Also, viewing persistent barriers as inherent inorganisations suggest alternative ways of attending to these barriers.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University