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Knowledge management technology-in-practice: a social constructionist analysis of the introduction and use of knowledge management systems

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  • Venters, Will

Abstract

This paper argues that Knowledge Management Technology (KMT) is socially constructed in use based on the affordances and constraints of the technology artefact. Since many Knowledge Management (KM) systems are introduced with vague purposes (such as to improve knowledge sharing) it is therefore their affordances and constraints which strongly shape the socially constructed 'KMT-in-practice'. The paper argues that knowledge is also socially constructed and that knowledge creation requires an element of surprise and challenge to routine. Using a case study of the British Council's KM programme between 1998 and 2003, the paper explores the social construction of a KMT as it is developed and used; describing how various features afforded by the technology influence its adoption and institutionalisation. The paper concludes by arguing that KMTs-in-practice, which are successful in supporting knowledge creation, must paradoxically remain in a state of neither stabilisation and acceptance, nor abandonment and disuse. Practical implications of how this might be achieved are provided.

Suggested Citation

  • Venters, Will, 2010. "Knowledge management technology-in-practice: a social constructionist analysis of the introduction and use of knowledge management systems," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 29839, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    • Handle: RePEc:ehl:lserod:29839
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    File URL: http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/29839/
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. John Seely Brown & Paul Duguid, 2001. "Knowledge and Organization: A Social-Practice Perspective," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 12(2), pages 198-213, April.
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    3. Wanda J. Orlikowski & C. Suzanne Iacono, 2001. "Research Commentary: Desperately Seeking the “IT” in IT Research—A Call to Theorizing the IT Artifact," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 12(2), pages 121-134, June.
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    5. Wanda J. Orlikowski, 2000. "Using Technology and Constituting Structures: A Practice Lens for Studying Technology in Organizations," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 11(4), pages 404-428, August.
    6. Ulrike Schultze & Charles Stabell, 2004. "Knowing What You Don’t Know? Discourses and Contradictions in Knowledge Management Research," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 41(4), pages 549-573, June.
    7. Mark P. A. Thompson & Geoff Walsham, 2004. "Placing Knowledge Management in Context," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 41(5), pages 725-747, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Cécile Godé & Pierre Barbaroux, 2016. "Combining Technologies’ Properties to Cope with Uncertainty: Lessons from the Military," Post-Print hal-03223680, HAL.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    ISI; knowledge management tools; knowledge management system; information systems; theory of knowledge; groupware; case study/studies;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J50 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor-Management Relations, Trade Unions, and Collective Bargaining - - - General

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