The impact of knowledge management technologies on learning within organizations: An empirical analysis.

摘要

Given the strategic significance of knowledge, many organizations are adopting a new class of information technologies (ITs) to support their organizational learning activities. ITs such as portals, groupware, and data warehouses, collectively referred to as knowledge management technologies (KMTs) in this study, have been deployed to support enterprise-wide knowledge creation, sharing, and integration. But how are they fulfilling this goal?; KMTs are under-researched from organizational and behavioral perspectives. Therefore, the main objective of this research is to empirically test a comprehensive framework that identifies the processes through which KMTs contribute to learning within organizations.; This research is based on the Vandenbosch and Higgins (1996) empirical study that found direct positive relationships between knowledge acquisition behaviors and individual learning. The current research empirically tested an extension of that model by incorporating: (1) a broader conceptualization of knowledge-based activities facilitated by ITs designed to support knowledge work, (2) consequences of post-adoptive behavior in the form of specific organizational learning outcomes, (3) the effect of certain perceived working climate characteristics on two usage behaviors (KMT use and knowledge use), and (4) the effect of specific individual characteristics on both usage behaviors.; Associated hypotheses were tested in two cross-sectional field studies using survey data. The research findings indicate that use of a KMT for various knowledge-based activities results in an incremental or radical change in the mental models of those who use them. Also, perceived organizational climate for learning and innovation influences (1) the extent to which a KMT is used, and (2) the extent to which individuals actually apply or intend to apply new knowledge. Furthermore, personal innovativeness in IT, computer self-efficacy, and prior related knowledge have a significant combined effect on KMT use and knowledge use.; From a practical perspective, these results provide evidence that the use of KMTs contribute significantly to the gathering and use of organizational intelligence. Also, working climate can inhibit or enhance the extent to which these benefits are realized. Theoretically, the comprehensive research model provides a framework for examining the relative effects of various dimensions of perceived organization climate and individual characteristics on learning and learning outcomes.