Formulating a communication strategy for effective knowledge sharing

Overcoming cultural resistance from a workforce and gaining sufficient buy-in from senior management are both critical to the successful implementation of Knowledge Management (KM) initiatives in any organization. The main purpose of this study is to identify an effective communication strategy at the onset of the implementation process, aimed at helping the workforce to comprehend the need for KM in the organization and to solicit maximum support from the senior management and staff alike. It is based on a case study of the KM initiatives in Singapore's Civil Service College, a training school for public officials. The strategy will also facilitate effective communication between staff so that effective knowledge sharing can take place and provide proactive and reactive communication, to achieve acceptance of and commitment to KM in the organization. The communication strategy was formulated using inputs collected from focus group discussions and observational field work.