Effective knowledge sharing tools for knowledge workers

M.Com. (Business Management)Abstract: This study investigated the use and perceived value of Knowledge Sharing (KS) tools among Knowledge Workers (KWs). KWs are a distinct category of specialist workers that are well educated and highly qualified in manipulating data, information and knowledge. Organisations often make significant investments in KS tools for KWs but know little about how and why KWs use them and how these tools improve their productivity. This said, KW’s have both motivators and barriers to KS and it is important to understand as only when the individual KWs knowledge is shared, can the organisation leverage the collective knowledge for competitive advantage. As such, the objectives of this study was threefold, firstly to analyse which tools KWs use to share knowledge, secondly to identify motivators and barriers to KS among KWs and lastly to recommend improvements in the effective usage of KS tools. The selected research philosophy for this study is pragmatism and focuses on practical applied research and the integration of different perspectives to assist with the interpretation of the data. A mixed method exploratory sequential design, using both qualitative and quantitative data and methods, was used for the study. KWs were divided on the type of KS tool they preferred to use, with some preferring face-to-face meetings and others preferring ICT tools including email, SharePoint and shared drives. Various factors including the KWs commitment and the system’s functionality play a role when KW’s consider KS. Recommendations to improve the effectiveness of KS tool usage in the organisation include the standardisation of KS processes, procedures and routines, as well as documented guidelines and training on KS tool usage, connecting KWs as well as improving the current KS tools used in the division. The study enables the organisation to improve their ability to select and implement effective KS tools for KW’s in the organisation