Activating Knowledge Through Electronic Collaboration: Vanquishing the Knowledge Paradox

Abstract

Electronic collaboration has become a driver for productivity as organizations develop linkages for the planning, sourcing and execution of goods and services. These organizations require mechanisms to harness the diverse and personalized intellectual resources that are distributed across the world. While electronic collaboration technologies have made it possible to harness intellectual resources across space and time, knowledge management is locked in a paradox of perception  the more valuable a knowledge resource is seen to be the less it is shared. This paper develops framework for the activation of knowledge that relies on a view of knowledge-as-identity. The analysis of a case study reveals activation effects that delineate processes in which electronic collaboration technologies can be most effective. This has implications for the creation of collaborative work environments that enhance activation in organizations.

Keywords: activation, knowledge-as-identity, knowledge paradox, accountable knowledge, discretionary knowledge, autonomous knowledge

JEL Classification: M, M11, R4, L15