Authors:
Maarit Virta
1
and
Gunilla Widén
2
Affiliations:
1
Lappeenranta University of Technology, Finland
;
2
Abo Akademi University, Finland
Keyword(s):
Information Sharing, Technical Succession, Knowledge Transfer, Knowledge Building.
Related
Ontology
Subjects/Areas/Topics:
Artificial Intelligence
;
Communication, Collaboration and Information Sharing
;
Knowledge Management and Information Sharing
;
Knowledge Management Projects
;
Knowledge-Based Systems
;
Symbolic Systems
Abstract:
This paper explores the processes connected to information and knowledge sharing in the context of expert work in an organization undergoing technical succession. The qualitative empirical research was conducted among six senior-junior pairs participating in the technical succession in the studied company. According to the results, factors affecting knowledge sharing between generations are interaction, expectations, dispositions and circumstances which includes time for sharing and proximity. Knowledge sharing, which may include both transfer and building, happens in eight phases. Informal interaction is of high importance underlining an open information culture between generations and constitutes a prerequisite for sharing experts’ work related knowledge. Further, the novices in this study have high trust in the experienced employees knowledge and skills–though not necessarily in them as persons which, according to the results, can prevent knowledge sharing even when the circumstan
ces for sharing are favourable. An important aspect in the study is how influential the novices’ conception of the work task is on knowledge sharing. Depending on whether they define their work as development or maintenance work determines the nature of knowledge shared and how it is shared.
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