Organization Culture and KM

In relation to the organizational culture this is a key barrier to success. Culture is generally defined as the beliefs, values, norms, and behaviours that are unique to an organization. In other words, “the unwritten rules” and “how work gets done around here”.

The development of a knowledge-sharing culture relies on:

- shared vision;

- value-based leadership at all levels;

- open and continuous communication;

- rewards and recognition.

The essential point is that the collective goal is shared by individuals who share the mission of that good and, with freedom and honesty, contribute to a conversation about how to realize that mission.

Values-based leadership has a significant impact on an organization. Each organization needs to decide which leadership values will drive its functioning. Once these values have been established, specific behavioural options present themselves. After options have been taken, the results can be measured to determine whether the organization is headed in the direction it desires.

If people are not confident that they can or should communicate freely, then all the best technology will be unable to pry knowledge out of them, or help them absorb knowledge. Most managers agree that there is a definite requirement for a minimum threshold of trust, collaboration, and collective sense of ownership for knowledge to contribute to the creation of value.

In many cultures, motivation through pay will not work. Rewards, recognitions, and incentives are that people will be able to expand their sphere of communication, their sphere of influence in turn, and potentially their sphere of responsibility through promotion.

In conclusion, a knowledge-sharing culture is based on the beliefs, attitudes and customs that exist within an organization.

References

Gonçalo Jorge Morais da Costa and Nuno Miguel Araújo da Silva,Failure in knowledge management: whose is the ethical responsibility? [Online], [Available]. http://bibliotecavirtual.clacso.org.ar/ar/libros/raec/ethicomp5/docs/htm_papers/46Morais%20da%20Costa,%20Gon%E7alo%20Jorge.htm