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The role of informal groups in organisational knowledge work : understanding an emerging community of practice

Koeglreiter, Gerlinde, Smith, Ross and Torlina, Luba 2006, The role of informal groups in organisational knowledge work : understanding an emerging community of practice, International journal of knowledge management, vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 6-23.

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Title The role of informal groups in organisational knowledge work : understanding an emerging community of practice
Author(s) Koeglreiter, Gerlinde
Smith, Ross
Torlina, Luba
Journal name International journal of knowledge management
Volume number 2
Issue number 1
Start page 6
End page 23
Publisher Idea Group Publishing
Place of publication Hershey, Pa.
Publication date 2006-01
ISSN 1548-0666
Keyword(s) communities of practice
group dynamics
knowledge management
knowledge strategies
knowledge work
Summary Managers and researchers alike have sought new ways to address the challenges of sharing dispersed knowledge in modern business environments. Careful consideration by sharers of receivers’ knowledge needs and behaviours may improve the effectiveness of knowledge sharing. This research examines how sharers react to their perceptions of receivers’ knowledge needs and behaviours when making choices relating to sharing knowledge. The focus of this article is to propose and empirically explore a theoretical framework for a study of the role of the receiver in knowledge sharing — receiver-based theory. Data collected from two case studies highlight a key role played by perceived receiver knowledge needs and behaviours in shaping sharer choices when explicit knowledge is shared. A set of receiver influences on knowledge sharing is provided that highlights key receiver and sharer issues. The paper concludes that companies should develop better ways to connect potential sharers with receivers’ real knowledge needs. Further, the findings suggest that sharing on a need-to-know basis hinders change in organisational power structures, and prevents the integration of isolated pockets of knowledge that may yield new value.
Language eng
Field of Research 150307 Innovation and Technology Management
Socio Economic Objective 970115 Expanding Knowledge in Commerce, Management, Tourism and Services
HERDC Research category C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal
Copyright notice ©2006, Idea Group Inc
Persistent URL http://hdl.handle.net/10536/DRO/DU:30003835

Document type: Journal Article
Collections: School of Information Systems
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