An Analysis of Key Factors for the Success of the Communal Management of Knowledge

TL;DR

This paper examines the theoretical links between Communities of Practice and Knowledge Management, and empirically investigates success factors through a survey of Chief Knowledge Officers in large French companies.

Contribution

It combines theoretical analysis with empirical data to identify key success factors for communal knowledge management approaches.

Findings

Identified critical success factors for communal KM

Highlighted the role of community structures like CoPs

Provided insights from Chief Knowledge Officers' perspectives

Abstract

This paper explores the links between Knowledge Management and new community-based models of the organization from both a theoretical and an empirical perspective. From a theoretical standpoint, we look at Communities of Practice (CoPs) and Knowledge Management (KM) and explore the links between the two as they relate to the use of information systems to manage knowledge. We begin by reviewing technologically supported approaches to KM and introduce the idea of "Systemes d'Aide a la Gestion des Connaissances" SAGC (Systems to aid the Management of Knowledge). Following this we examine the contribution that communal structures such as CoPs can make to intraorganizational KM and highlight some of 'success factors' for this approach to KM that are found in the literature. From an empirical standpoint, we present the results of a survey involving the Chief Knowledge Officers (CKOs) of twelve large French businesses; the objective of this study was to identify the factors that might influence the success of such approaches. The survey was analysed using thematic content analysis and the results are presented here with some short illustrative quotes from the CKOs. Finally, the paper concludes with some brief reflections on what can be learnt from looking at this problem from these two perspectives.