IT ENABLED KNOWLEDGE
MANAGEMENT IN MULTINATIONAL
COMPANIES
M.P.THAPLIYAL+
+Department of Computer Science
HNB Garhwal University (Central University), Srinagar(Garhwal) Uttarakhand-246174 INDIA
CHARU++
Research Scholar Singhania University (Rajasthan)
INDIA
Abstract
There is a high dependence on IT for knowledge sharing in multinationals and the expectations from IT is high. The risk to fall into the trap of investments for expensive IT solutions is very high for multinational companies. Multinational companies possess dispersed knowledge all around the world and it is important to recognize that most of the part of this knowledge is tacit. Therefore even though IT facilitate the knowledge management and sharing between different units of multinational companies, it is crucial to develop other means to share the tacit part of the knowledge base.
Keywords : IT, Knowledge Management
1. Introduction : Knowledge Management
alive in people, tacit knowledge can be only transferred by socialization under high level of trust. Therefore face to face communication is the most important means of tacit knowledge transfer.
2. Knowledge Management and Information Technologies
knowledge. When knowledge has highly explicit components, the use of IT will likely to be more successful for knowledge sharing. IT is less suitable for the transfer of tacit knowledge. However, for organizations it is the effective management of tacit knowledge which determines the degree of competitive advantage. Therefore, IT investments should have an emphasize on tacit knowledge. Since IT transfers effectively only explicit knowledge, it is important to understand the relationship between IT and tacit knowledge therefore IT should be supported by other mechanisms for an effective knowledge management.
3. Knowledge Management in Multinational Companies by use of IT
IT systems and it is important to remember the human factors in tacit knowledge transfer therefore global IT systems should be supported with other mechanisms.
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