Wiki Deployment in Corporate Settings

Abstract

Our research question concerns the usefulness of wikis in corporate settings. The answer to this question is not clear. On one hand, business firms are aware of the impact wikis have had on the Internet, and perceive wikis as an up-and-coming technology for supporting collaborative work. On the other hand, the fundamental principles underlying wikis - openness, non-attribution, egalitarianism, and decentralized control - run in contrast to traditional command-and-control management. To date, little information is available regarding wikis' usage in corporate settings. This paper examines the actual use of wikis in a business setting, to identify factors driving user participation, and to assess the extent to which wikis provide value to both individuals and the organization.