| IS Professionals as Brokers and Translators of Knowledge Between Communities of Practice: A Research Framework |
| | Pawlowski, Suzanne D. | Georgia State U. | spawlowski@gsu.edu | (404)-873-3844 |
| | The purpose of this paper is to propose a new topic of investigation for IS research – the information systems professional as a channel for knowledge transfer between communities of practice in an organization. Drawing from work in situated learning, organizational learning and knowledge management, we argue that IS professionals act as brokers and translators of knowledge, providing important channels for knowledge transfer. Four factors that influence the ability of IS professionals to bridge communities of practice are discussed: the architecture of the organization’s information systems portfolio, the information systems development and support processes, the governance structure of the IS function, and IS personnel management practices. A research framework that can be used to guide the initial investigation of this topic is presented. The paper concludes by noting the potential of this work to contribute to our understanding of communities of practice and their connections and to generate new knowledge management approaches that involve the IS professional to facilitate the transfer of knowledge that may be deeply rooted in practice. |
| | Keywords: knowledge management; IS professionals; communities of practice |
| Webs of Knowledge: An Examination of Knowledge Types and Knowledge Flows in Electronic Communities of Practice |
| | Wasko, Molly McLure | U. of Maryland | mmclure@rhsmith.umd.edu | (301)-405-2265 |
| | Faraj, Samer | U. of Maryland | sfaraj@rhsmith.umd.edu | (301)405-7053 |
| | ABSTRACT
This study examined the knowledge transfer in a world-wide, extra-organizational, Usenet based community of practice. Participation in such groups is voluntary, and group members generally do not have personal or organizational ties. The purpose of this study was to investigate two questions: first, what type of knowledge is being transferred in these communities, and second, how does the knowledge flow globally. We observed and recorded the messages exchanged in a technical, electronic community of practice for a period of 7 weeks, and content analysis was performed on the message activity of the group. 1,562 messages were coded for purpose, knowledge type and message form. Descriptive, statistical analysis indicates that both specific and general knowledge was exchanged, and participants relied heavily on the use of context and embedded messages to convey meaning. This study also examined how knowledge flows globally in these groups. The domain address of each individual group member was used to determine their geographical location. This information was used to examine the patterns of knowledge exchange that occur globally within this group. The study illuminates the types of knowledge transferred, as well as how knowledge flows in these communities.
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| | Keywords: Knowledge Management; Communities of Practice; Knowledge Transfer |
| Absorptive Capacity: Its Dimensions and Relationship to Corporate Culture and Innovation Success |
| | Harrington, Susan J. | Georgia College and State U. | sharring@mail.gcsu.edu | (912) 445-0966 |
| | Guimaraes, Tor | Tennessee Technological U. | TG5596@TNTECH.EDU | (615) 372-3385 |
| | Recent emphasis by scholars and practitioners on the learning organization and knowledge management has pinpointed the important role that knowledge plays in organizational performance. Knowledge enhances the organization's ability to recognize the value of new information, assimilate it, and apply it to commercial ends. This recognition and application has been termed absorptive capacity and has been developed theoretically through an examination of the organization's cognitive structures and prior related knowledge which underlie learning (Cohen and Levinthal, 1990).
Coupled with the emphasis on knowledge and learning are claims that a "learning culture" or "knowledge-friendly culture" is necessary in order for knowledge to be gained and effectively used within the organization. Based on previous research, this study proposes a measure of absorptive capacity that includes organizational knowledge and communication channels and tests its relationship to the application of new technology in the form of expert systems implementation. In addition, this study draws upon previous work in the areas of innovation, information systems implementation, and corporate culture to study the type of corporate culture deemed important for absorptive capacity. A field test using 242 IS directors was used to test the proposed relationships. The results provide support for absorptive capacity's proposed dimensions and its antecedent of corporate culture, as well as its role in the successful implementation of new technologies such as expert systems.
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| | Keywords: absorptive capacity; corporate culture; communication channels |