Proceedings of the 12th European Conference on Knowledge ...

Albena Antonova and Aniko Csepregi
codification and presentation) and <strong>the</strong> internalization <strong>of</strong> knowledge (through <strong>the</strong> capabilities <strong>of</strong>
reading, learning, interpreting, and absorbing). In illustration <strong>of</strong> this process, Hendriks (1999)
proposed a simplified model <strong>of</strong> knowledge sharing, including knowledge owners and knowledge
reconstructures and <strong>the</strong> two basic processes for KS.
As KT is used mainly in IT literature (Garvelli et al., 2002) , it relies on abstract conceptual model. Its
main focus is to show how knowledge can be transferred from person to IT system/or object (or
externalizing knowledge, making it explicit through writing, codifying etc). As Garavelli et al. (2002)
describe in <strong>the</strong>ir model, using technology to support <strong>the</strong> knowledge transfer means to support both
<strong>the</strong> knowledge codification that is <strong>the</strong> knowledge extraction from <strong>the</strong> source and its representation in
an object, and <strong>the</strong> knowledge interpretation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> user.
Combining and extending <strong>the</strong> models for KT (Garavelli et al., 2002) and for KS (Hendriks, 1999), a
joint model <strong>of</strong> KS and KT processes within an organization is proposed in Figure 1. (Antonova et al.,
2011). The model corresponds on <strong>the</strong> complex nature <strong>of</strong> KS and KT and contributes to better
visualization <strong>of</strong> bilateral process <strong>of</strong> knowledge externalization and internalization. It combines both
individual and organizational processes for KT and KS, and factors enabling knowledge
externalization and internalization. On <strong>the</strong> individual level key KS competences are identified in both
phases and <strong>the</strong> participant <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> KS process are called knowledge owners and knowledge
perceivers/reconstructors. KS includes both externalization (through <strong>the</strong> competences <strong>of</strong> codification
and presentation) and internalization <strong>of</strong> knowledge through <strong>the</strong> capabilities <strong>of</strong> reading, learning,
interpreting, and absorbing. On <strong>the</strong> organizational level <strong>the</strong> main KS processes, including media (IT)
and ‘s<strong>of</strong>t’ organizational techniques (KS incentives, practices and motivational policy) are considered.
Figure 1: A model for KS and KT, combining KS and KT processes in organizational context
(Antonova et al., 2011)
2.2 KS s<strong>of</strong>t techniques – types and classifications
A number <strong>of</strong> knowledge sharing s<strong>of</strong>t techniques, activities and incentives exist in companies. Boh
(2007) stated that knowledge sharing mechanisms are formal and informal mechanisms for sharing,
integrating, interpreting and applying know-what, know-how, and know-why embedded in individuals
and groups to aid <strong>the</strong>ir performance. Sirkemaa (2008) explored two dimensions for KS mechanisms,
including aggregation <strong>of</strong> knowledge and degree <strong>of</strong> its articulation; he also proposes a framework
combining tacit versus explicit knowledge (personalization versus codification) and individual versus
collective knowledge sharing. Murray and Peyrefitte (2007) identified three groups <strong>of</strong> knowledge
sharing activities and methods, including technology-assisted communication methods, meetings and
training methods. They also revealed that usually individuals chose complex media tools to transfer
complex knowledge (Murray, Peyrefitte, 2007). Boh (2007) has confirmed that <strong>the</strong> greater <strong>the</strong>
complexity <strong>of</strong> information is, <strong>the</strong> more personal interactions are required to understand it.
Mughal (2010) stipulated that effective knowledge sharing mechanisms constitute two broad
dimensions consisting <strong>of</strong> personalized versus codified and individualized versus institutionalized
mechanisms which facilitate <strong>the</strong> transfer <strong>of</strong> knowledge. The transference and maximum utilization <strong>of</strong>
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