Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Identifier

334

Date

2011

Document Type

Dissertation (Access Restricted)

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Major

Computer Science

Committee Chair

Sajjan G Shiva

Committee Member

King-Ip Lin

Committee Member

Vasile Rus

Committee Member

Linda B Sherrell

Abstract

Information technology organizations often assume that to improve knowledge sharing, a knowledge management system must be independently developed or purchased. The intent of this dissertationis to illustrate that a knowledge sharing strategy can be designed by combining existing technologies and techniques. While some software development work may be required, it should be largely limited to the integration required to fill gaps that are critical to a usable knowledge framework. This recommended approach will be demonstrated through participatory action research in a globally diverse corporate environment. There are many stakeholders in the information technology (IT) domain, including the business community and software development and infrastructure support staff. This project explores to what degree knowledge sharing will be enhanced across ITstakeholders by employing a strategy that exploits existing technology investments and capitalizes on the social aspect of software engineering. The context chosen to address this question consists of the activities required to define, analyze,and achievethe non-functional requirements of a software system. Conclusions from the work include the following recommendations. Organizations must recognize the importance of processes in the enablement of knowledge sharing and the impact that immature processes can have on intended collaboration. Process must first enable knowledge sharing, and organizational changes may be a part of that process improvement. A technology layer can then be added to improve knowledge creation and sharing. Workflow automation within communities of practice enables the flow of knowledge between knowledge workers with common goals. Enterprise knowledge sharing capability can be evolved by focusing the scope of each effort on a community of practice. Cultural change can be achieved incrementally through these communities.

Comments

Data is provided by the student.

Library Comment

Dissertation or thesis originally submitted to the local University of Memphis Electronic Theses & dissertation (ETD) Repository.

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