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Understanding the impact of organisational downsizing on knowledge sharing

Lichtenstein, Sharman and Brain, Michael Edward 2006, Understanding the impact of organisational downsizing on knowledge sharing, in ECIS 2006 : Proceedings of the XIXth European Conference on Information Systems, ECIS, Gotegorg, Sweden, pp. 1-12.

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Title Understanding the impact of organisational downsizing on knowledge sharing
Author(s) Lichtenstein, Sharman
Brain, Michael Edward
Conference name European Conference on Information Systems
Conference location Gotegorg, Sweden
Conference dates 12-14 June 2006
Title of proceedings ECIS 2006 : Proceedings of the XIXth European Conference on Information Systems
Editor(s) [Unknown]
Publication date 2006
Conference series European Conference on Information Systems
Start page 1
End page 12
Publisher ECIS
Place of publication Gotegorg, Sweden
Keyword(s) knowledge sharing
downsizing
restructuring
organisational culture
Summary Careful consideration by managers of the potential impact of the popular strategy of economic restructuring (downsizing) on organisational structure and culture could improve the quality of organisational knowledge sharing, however this influence has not yet been addressed in the knowledge management literature. This paper explores how a strategy of downsizing may reshape organisational structure and culture and inhibit organisational knowledge sharing, drawing on an interpretive case study of knowledge sharing in an information technology services function at a large Australian education service provider. Key findings indicate that when specialised teams are downsized, subcultures may develop where teams become mistrustful and insular, and knowledge sharing is constrained across teams. Further, when a hierarchical structure is present and downsizing occurs, managers may become more cautious about sharing knowledge with subordinates. The study also suggests that Internet technologies may play a key role in helping to compensate for the shortfall in knowledge stock resulting from downsizing. In conclusion, this paper highlights an important need for companies to consider the potential negative influences of downsizing on organisationalknowledge sharing.
Notes
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Language eng
Field of Research 080609 Information Systems Management
Socio Economic Objective 970108 Expanding Knowledge in the Information and Computing Sciences
HERDC Research category E1 Full written paper - refereed
Copyright notice ©2006, ECIS
Persistent URL http://hdl.handle.net/10536/DRO/DU:30006076

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