The formation of coordinative knowledge practices in distributed work: towards an explanatory model

Abstract

Purpose -The paper proposes a model aiming at the explanation of the formation of coordinative knowledge practices in distributed work. Findings from a pilot study aiming at the preliminary testing of the model are presented and discussed.Design/methodology/approach -The explanatory model was developed by combining concepts and findings developed in studies of social capital, knowledge sharing and computer supported cooperative work. The empirical data were gathered in 2007-2008 in a multi-unit Finnish chemical company production site. The methods used were structured observation of work processes, semi-structured interviews and a web-based questionnaire.Findings -The model suggested that coordinative knowledge practices are shaped by four major factors: work coupling, social capital, spatio-temporality and affordances of collaboration technologies. The empirical study showed that these concepts can be successfully applied in empirical research to better understand and support the development of coordinative knowledge practices.Practical implications -The findings can be utilized in the analysis and assessment of coordinative knowledge practices between distributed work groups in multi-unit organizations. The findings can also be used in the development of solutions for knowledge sharing and communication in distributed work organizations and communities.Originality/value -The model developed provides a novel perspective for the study of knowledge practices in the context of distributed group work. The model proposes that varying degrees in work coupling intensity, social capital, spatio-temporality and affordances of collaborative technologies explain the emergence of coordinative knowledge practices. The study shows how coordinative knowledge practices can be studied empirically. The empirical study resulted in a typology of coordinative knowledge practices.

A Knowledge Perspective on Quality in Complex Citizen Science

“…If technology affords versioning, tasks are easier to rotate. This confirms prior research on distributed work, as the coordination and performance of citizen science tasks depends on the type of tasks and their dependencies (Mitchell et al 2018), as well as on the distribution of participants and the affordances of technology (Franssila et al 2012). Coordination through rotation and discussion in groups is also intertwined with the assessment of contributions, with some form of feedback depending on the possibilities of technology and the way tasks are organized (Dow et al 2012).…”

Knowledge sharing in a non-native language context: Challenges and strategies

“…An interview guide was developed that included open-ended questions focused on the knowledge-sharing activities and experiences with using a non-native language for this purpose. The focus was set on the problem-solving scenarios – both formal and informal – project meetings and advice-seeking processes to contextualise the knowledge-sharing dynamics [55,56]. Then, the use of the individuals’ native language for knowledge sharing was discussed.…”

Engaging environments: tacit knowledge sharing on the shop floor

“…Instead, this body of literature has focused on symbolic workers, white collars and students' tacit knowledge (e.g. Henttonen, 2010; Wong, 2008), project teams (Erhardt, 2011; Costanzo and Tzoumpa, 2008) and collaborative work (Fransilla et al , 2012). The operations management literature has also overlooked the knowledge of shop floor workers and has instead opted to address tacit knowledge with respect to symbolic workers (Dell'era and Verganti, 2009), knowledge‐intensive work (Rosendaal, 2009), knowledge in high‐tech firms (Yang, 2010) and knowledge and project management (Hong et al , 2011; Koners and Goffin, 2007).…”