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Challenges and Solutions for Knowledge Sharing in Inter-Organizational Teams : First Experimental Results on the Positive Impact of Visualization
Type
conference paper
Date Issued
2010-09-01
Author(s)
Comi, Alice
Editor(s)
Tochtermann, Klaus
Maurer, Hermann
Abstract
As pointed out by several scholars, inter-organizational collaboration is an important vehicle for knowledge creation. But the process of integrating knowledge across organizational boundaries entails great complexity. In this paper, we argue that visualizing knowledge in interorganizational meetings is a conduit of knowledge sharing, and enables innovative recombinations of organizational competences. We propose an experimental design to uncover the advantages and possible disadvantages of using visual techniques as a support for interorganizational knowledge sharing. In particular, we compare the process and the outcome of knowledge sharing in inter-organizational teams supported with 1) software-based visualization, 2) poster-based visualization, and 3) text-based methods. The first results of our experiments suggest that software-supported teams outperform the control groups in knowledge-sharing tasks, and exhibit greater satisfaction with teamwork process and outcome. After discussing relevant implications for both researchers and practitioners, we point out limitations of our study and suggest directions for future research.
Language
English
HSG Classification
not classified
Refereed
Yes
Book title
Proceedings of I-KNOW '10 : 10th International Conference on Knowledge Management and Knowledge Technologies
Publisher
Verlag der Technischen Universität
Publisher place
Graz
Start page
137
End page
149
Pages
13
Event Title
10th International Conference on Knowledge Management and Knowledge Technologies I-KNOW
Event Location
Graz, Austria
Event Date
01.-03.09.2010
Subject(s)
Division(s)
Eprints ID
63907