5 September 2007

Subject: ‘Intranets and knowledge sharing’
Questions: Outline what is meant by community of practice and how can an intranet support its activity?

The ‘corporate intranet’ within organisations is part of an interactive knowledge sharing society and essentially represents internal networks with a web browser client. If developed well the intranet can also serve to enhance communication and may include data, procedures, minutes and is a useful tool in disseminating resources.

The process of knowledge sharing using a variety of less-formal methodologies is the essence of the ‘communities of practice’ concept. It is not limited to knowledge sharing within one organisation it can also occur between organisations (Ferguson & Hebels, 2003). There are many benefits to users in accessing web based technologies such as the intranet, some of which are outlined later in this review. The sharing of information within individual organisations is a major ‘knowledge management’ issue in libraries today.

Managing a dynamic corporate intranet is a positive approach to developing ‘communities of practice’. The sharing of intranets between two or more organisations is strong evidence of this practice, playing a valuable role supporting ongoing and diverse activities. It is essential to ensure that this publishing tool does not represent or become a static repository of web pages. Many of us have are or have been exposed to the intranet via our work places. We are familiar with the terms home page, staff directories, organisation charts, procedures and corporate information as they are routinely found on the intranet, all components evident within ‘communities of practice’ activities.

The concept of ‘communities of practice’ in relation to intranets is founded on the need to have an interactive and dynamic space. A publishing tool that encourages a diverse range of knowledge management activities must have a focus on the growth of collaborative spaces. Beneficial to the employees by promoting effective knowledge sharing and as discussed by Robertson (2004), a number of new tools are emerging including blogs, wikis and k-logs that can meet this need. Most of us are now familiar with blogs and wikis but the use of k-logs are less known. Weblogs are ‘knowledge logs’ and are often referred too as k-logs. All are platforms for growing organisations and its people.

Communities of practice are the result of corporate technologies that support knowledge management initiatives within collaborative environments with an invisible or virtual thread linking people, processes, projects and practices to each other. A wonderful intriguing perspective on organisational culture entwined, within a group of dynamic publishing and technology tools, that when used expertly will provide innovative ways for knowledge sharing.

References:

Ferguson, S., & Hebels, R., (2003). Computers for librarians: An introduction to the electronic library, 3rd edn, Centre for Information Studies, Wagga Wagga

Robertson, K., (2004). Intranets and knowledge sharing. StepTwoDesigns
http://www.steptwo.com.au/papers/kmc_intranetsknowledge/index.html
{viewed 03 September 2007}