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Modular and Integral Knowledge Integration: From the Case of a Chinese IT Enterprise

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  • Yixuan Wang

    (The School of Economics, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan)

  • Bowen Jiang

    (The School of Economics, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan)

Abstract

Numerous enterprises rely on cross-functional teams (CFT) to integrate multi-disciplinary knowledge. However, unexpected results occur in many CFT projects. This exploratory research attempts to illustrate how knowledge integration (KI) is influenced by combining and bonding capabilities in CFT. After a qualitative investigation into a Chinese mobile application company, we found that if a team’s performance was poor, team members tended to work separately, which led to less communication among one another. We defined this type of KI as “modular knowledge integration (MKI)”. In contrast, teams that performed well tended to communicate sufficiently with team members and cooperate well. We called this kind of KI “integral knowledge integration (IKI)”. We propose that enterprises should include IKI rather than MKI in CFT. Additionally, if an enterprise expects to avoid MKI, “combining capability” and “bonding capability” should be improved accordingly.

Suggested Citation

  • Yixuan Wang & Bowen Jiang, 2018. "Modular and Integral Knowledge Integration: From the Case of a Chinese IT Enterprise," Journal of Information & Knowledge Management (JIKM), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 17(01), pages 1-16, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:wsi:jikmxx:v:17:y:2018:i:01:n:s0219649218500120
    DOI: 10.1142/S0219649218500120
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    References listed on IDEAS

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