Knowledge sharing in a competence intensive company

Abstract: The overall purpose of this study is to investigate a competence intensive company, evaluating their knowledge sharing. By identifying barriers and in what way IT can have a positive impact on the knowledge sharing, the study investigates how knowledge can be shared more efficiently within the company. A thorough case study was conducted and furthermore analysed with respect to a model proposed by the author. The model consist of three dimensions of knowledge creation, the “how, where and what”, together with identified barriers: individual, organisational and technological. Some of the identified barriers are lack of time, insufficient captures and evaluations of past mistakes, lack of supporting organisational structure, rewards and recognition. IT is vital for the everyday work and with improved tools time can be set free. To share knowledge more efficiently the management should mediate the value of knowledge sharing as well as implement knowledge sharing initiatives. There should also be expressed rewards for sharing knowledge motivating the employees to take their time and share knowledge. Another approach, focusing on the employees’ socialisation rather than documentation, should be advocated and more time needs to be set free. Upgrading the IT tools and harvesting lessons learnt from project could accordingly enable a more effective knowledge sharing for the company.