Mission impossible? Communicating and sharing knowledge via information technology

被引:140
作者
Hislop, D [1 ]
机构
[1] Univ Sheffield, Sch Management, Sheffield S1 4DT, S Yorkshire, England
关键词
D O I
10.1080/02683960210161230
中图分类号
TP [自动化技术、计算机技术];
学科分类号
0812 ;
摘要
This paper critiques the perspective that information technology can play a central role in knowledge-sharing processes. Fundamentally, it suggests that the nature of knowledge itself makes it extremely difficult and that quite specific conditions are required for information technology-based knowledge sharing to occur successfully. The paper proceeds by criticizing the objectivist philosophy of knowledge, which typically underpins the literature advocating information technology-based knowledge management. The centre point of this critique involves questioning one of the foundational assumptions of the objectivist perspective, namely the dichotomy made between tacit and explicit knowledge. Instead, a 'practice'-based philosophy of knowledge is proposed that suggests that all knowledge has both tacit and explicit components, is to some extent embodied in human brains and bodies and is embedded in organizational routines, practices and contexts. These characteristics therefore suggest that the role of information technology systems in the sharing of knowledge is likely to be somewhat limited.
引用
收藏
页码:165 / 177
页数:13
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