Means of knowledge sharing in information technology projects

Abstract

This study tried to investigate in what ways the knowledge sharing among the parts involved in the implementation project of an integrated information system (SAP R/3) in a higher education institution of the Santa Catarina State was configured. Specifically, the work obeyed the following disposition: description of how the implementation process occurred and identification of the individuals involved in it; investigation of the means of knowledge sharing utilized, objectives and influence in the project. Considering the objectives proposed, the approach of this research is qualitative, case study type. The research data were collected through semi-structured interviews, open questionnaires and documental analysis. The treatment and interpretation given to the data are predominantly qualitative. Among the main conclusions we may cite the significant influence of knowledge sharing in the project of the system implementation. We can observe the utilization of various potential means of sharing both explicit and tacit knowledge that contributed to the knowledge conversion. Finally the data analysis provided the understanding that the definition of the means by which the knowledge is shared and the way these means are utilized may, on one hand, facilitate and, on the other, make difficult the knowledge sharing and, consequently, the project of the system implementation.