Sustaining Effectiveness in Global Teams: The Coevolution of Knowledge Management Activities and Technology Affordances

2022 | Organization Science | Citations: 1

Authors: Gibson, Cristina B.; Dunlop, Patrick D.; Majchrzak, Ann; Chia, Terence

Abstract: Despite the dynamic nature of knowledge-related activities and the availability ... Expand

Abstract: Despite the dynamic nature of knowledge-related activities and the availability of a variety of communication technologies, many global teams habitually use technology in the same way across activities. However, as teams move through cycles of accumulating, integrating, and implementing knowledge, the purposes for communication technologies change. Current theorizing and empirical work on team knowledge management has yet to develop a dynamic theory that incorporates these changes. By conducting a multiwave, mixed method analysis of 48 global teams, we develop a theory of how global teams sustain effectiveness through technology affordance processes. We found that effective teams are those that recognize cues indicating change is necessary and coevolve a symbiosis between new activities, new purposes for interaction, and new uses of communication technologies. This coevolution of purpose with technology use forms new affordances, which enable the team to move on to new knowledge management activities and sustain effectiveness. Our theory more realistically models the dynamics of staying connected while sharing, combining, and implementing knowledge across the globe. Collapse

Topics: affordance sensemaking information system use electronic mail communication service infrastructure

Methods: survey qualitative interview theory development qualitative coding regression analysis method

Theories: theory of affordance co-evolution theory theory of task technology fit organizational behavior theory theory of shared mental models

Exploring the Use of Mobile Devices for Knowledge Sharing in Healthcare: A Hospital Case Study

2013 | Americas Conference on Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Gonzalez, Paola A; Chan, Yolande E; Goldstein, David H

Abstract: This study formulates and empirically tests a theoretical model involving factor ... Expand

Abstract: This study formulates and empirically tests a theoretical model involving factors in the use of mobile devices for knowledge sharing in hospitals. The research model is derived from two important studies, Kankanhalli et al.’s (2005a, 2005b) studies on electronic knowledge repositories, and is adapted to the healthcare context. We conduct an exploratory case study of three mobile devices in two units of a hospital. The preliminary results reveal that factors such as image, privacy, reciprocity, quality of output, resource availability and portability influence the use of these devices for knowledge sharing. Collapse

Topics: mobile system knowledge sharing privacy electronic mail decision support

Methods: qualitative interview field study personal interview conceptual modelling case study

Theories: social exchange theory

Seven Types of Knowledge Loss in the Knowledge Capture Process

2010 | European Conference On Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Aggestam, Lena; Söderström, Eva; Persson, Anne

Abstract: Society is based on knowledge and the availability thereof. Access to knowledge ... Expand

Abstract: Society is based on knowledge and the availability thereof. Access to knowledge empowers people, and organizations must reuse knowledge to be competitive. The right knowledge to the right person at the right time is important for success, and IT plays an important role in order to achieve this goal, for example in the form of Electronic Knowledge Repositories (EKR). The success of an EKR depends on what is stored therein, and the ability to capture the right knowledge is hence a key aspect. This, however, is a complex issue. The goal of this paper is to identify and describe different types of knowledge loss, seven of which have been identified and characterized. As an example, one knowledge loss shows that not all knowledge can be stored, and critical knowledge elements may therefore be lost when attempting to store it. Some knowledge loss may be desirable, since an organization should not want to store everything. The results contribute to capturing the right knowledge, and hence to successful EKR. The results thus contribute to elevating the competitive power of an organization Collapse

Topics: knowledge repository critical success factor knowledge management

Methods: field study literature study personal interview

Evaluation Criteria to Increase Information Quality in Electronic Knowledge Repositories

2008 | European Conference On Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Aggestam, Lena; Persson, Anne

Abstract: Knowledge forms an important asset in modern organisations. In order to gain and ... Expand

Abstract: Knowledge forms an important asset in modern organisations. In order to gain and sustain competitive advantage knowledge has to be managed. One aspect of this is to use Electronic Knowledge Repositories (EKRs) in order to enhance knowledge sharing, reuse and learning. The success of an EKR is dependent on the quality of its content. For knowledge to be stored in an EKR, it has to be captured. One crucial part of the capture process is to evaluate whether the identified knowledge should be incorporated in the EKR or not. Therefore, to increase information quality in an EKR, the evaluation stage of the capture process must be successfully performed. This paper characterizes Critical Success Factors (CSF) for knowledge evaluation and presents six evaluation criteria to guide the evaluation stage in order to increase information quality in EKR:s. In particular we highlight the importance of performing evaluation addressing correctness, relevance, protection and redundancy. Collapse

Topics: evaluation criteria data quality critical success factor enterprise modelling knowledge management

Methods: case study literature study conceptual modelling qualitative interview

Using informal notes for sharing corporate technology know-how

2006 | European Journal of Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Topi, Heikki; Lucas, Wendy; Babaian, Tamara

Abstract: Corporate and academic communities have focused a great deal of attention on for ... Expand

Abstract: Corporate and academic communities have focused a great deal of attention on formalized approaches for creating, capturing, and propagating knowledge. Far less attention has been paid to the informal mechanisms that individuals share and employ to help them navigate complex processes in order to 'get things done.' In this paper, we examine the creation, use, and content of informal documents for supporting users of an enterprise resource planning system in a Fortune 500 company. We contend that such notes, which are commonly used for supporting information systems-related work, are an overlooked source of knowledgeability about organizational practices. This study is a first but necessary step in analyzing the types of information that can be derived from informal notes so that organizations can more fully utilize this largely untapped resource. Collapse

Topics: enterprise resource planning organizational memory business process management information system use database system

Methods: qualitative interview literature study