Assessing enablers and barriers to sharing knowledge and information : case study: a knowledge intensive case company in Finland

Abstract

In this thesis, the researcher explores the barriers and enablers to sharing knowledge and information in the context of a knowledge intensive case company. The researcher set out to first examine the strategic intentions of the case company from a knowledge and information sharing perspective, with the aim of taking a closer look at the practical ways that sharing takes place within the case company. This includes elements such as company driven initiatives, tools and processes. Based on this, a key set of enablers and barriers to sharing could then be identified and assessed over the research period. This then enabled the researcher to suggest potential changes to the ways of working at the case company, and areas for future improvement.

Relevant theory relating to knowledge and information sharing, along with the impact of key factors such as culture, people, leadership, processes, structures and technology were also considered in the sharing context to further enhance and support the structure for the presentation of results.

A qualitative approach was taken to the empirical section of the thesis, which included two sets of interviews and two observation periods. Combined with existing secondary research material from the case company’s own internal surveys, the researcher was able to gain insight into the impact of enablers and barriers in a company specific context.

The thesis shows that many of the key elements highlighted in literature were also relevant to the case company, and that in many cases there are elements that can act as both enablers and barriers to sharing. The key for the case company therefore, is to undertake a balancing act to ensure that the negative impact of barriers is mitigated by the positive effect of enablers. Furthermore, the sharing efforts of the case company can be distilled into three key dimensions of sharing that need to be considered alongside one another.