Facilitating organizational learning and knowledge flows
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Journal Title
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Perustieteiden korkeakoulu |
Master's thesis
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Authors
Date
2019-03-12
Department
Major/Subject
Knowledge and Business Networks
Mcode
SCI3047
Degree programme
Master’s Programme in Information Networks
Language
en
Pages
86+9
Series
Abstract
Two separate trends illustrate the new characteristics of many current organizations. Firstly, organizations today depend more and more on knowledge in most of their operations, and knowledge work can be said to be the new standard of the working life. Secondly, geographical dispersion and virtual collaboration often characterize the daily reality of these knowledge-intensive organizations. Knowledge flows and organizational learning encounter new challenges in these new settings. This thesis studies how organizational culture, organizational structure and organizational work practices can facilitate knowledge flows and organizational learning within global, knowledge-intensive organizations. The empirical research of the thesis was a single case qualitative study within a global, knowledge-intensive organization including secondary data, observation and 15 thematic interviews. Additionally, an extensive literature review from the field of knowledge management presents the theoretical frameworks of the thesis. The findings suggest that in global, knowledge-intensive organizations the organizational structure should have two dimensions: a flat, hierarchical structure on one hand, and a vast network of communities on the other. Organizational culture should be psychologically safe, have high levels of trust, and be oriented towards openness, collaboration, learning and empathy. In global settings, additionally, the need for boundary-spanning culture is emphasized: organizational culture should encourage and value activities that increase cross-border collaboration. Furthermore, the findings suggest that in global settings organizations need institutionalized and personalized work practices to ensure smooth knowledge flows and organizational learning: when employees lack the advantages of copresence, there needs to be intentional practices pushing them to collaborate and share knowledge. This thesis contributes to the field of knowledge management by increasing understanding of the factors affecting intraorganizational knowledge flows. Furthermore, the thesis proposes a synthesizing framework combining four eminent models from the fields of knowledge management and organizational learning. On the practical side, the thesis provides two practical tools that can be used in organizations to evaluate the current practices for knowledge sharing and organizational learning: the knowledge flow circle and the organizational learning circle.Description
Supervisor
Järvenpää, EilaThesis advisor
Teiskonlahti, TerhiMäki, Eerikki
Keywords
knowledge management, knowledge flows, organizational learning, organizational culture, organizational structure, organizational work practices