Author(s):
1. Adrienn Ferincz, Corvinus University of Budapest, Hungary
2. Alexandra Vastag, 3. Lilla Hortoványi, Corvinus University of Budapest, Hungary

Abstract:
Nowadays all of the most interesting topics in the organizational science are in connection with knowledge management. Since ICT (Information and Communication Technology) equipment such as Smartphone, iPads, notebook etc. are part of people’s every day work routines, they become powerful means for sharing, distributing, and storing corporate information and knowledge. Taking one step further, ICT equipments can also be inhibitors of learning as they can induce a huge information overload on organizational members when there is no uniform rule to save and store the relevant information. According to Nahapiet and Ghoshal (1998) the interpersonal connection also impacts the effectiveness of knowledge transfer - through three dimensions. The first dimension is the structural dimension which is the framework of knowledge sharing. The second one is the cognitive dimension which involves the employees’ capability for sharing knowledge. The third one is the motivational dimension which involves the organizational culture, social embeddedness, trust, the attitude of the leader etc. In this paper, researchers propose to study the research question: When ICT equipments encourage or discourage knowledge sharing process. The methodology proposed is the qualitative analysis of 3 different types of organization. As knowledge exists on different levels of the organization in this way interviews were made in every level of the firm such as managers and also employees and other stakeholders. For the analysis of the data, researchers also used personal observation, document analysis and action research methodology in every case study. Researchers used QSR NVivo for analyzing data. The researchers have found that ICT tools have a special role in the knowledge transfer processes. However ICT tools are part of the structural framework of knowledge transfer, they also have an effect on the two other dimensions. First level is examining the whole process along the three dimensions; whether employees have a chance to transfer knowledge, whether they are able to do that and whether they want it or not. Beyond these there is a second layer that means whether ICT tools can support or hinder these processes in regard of the possibility, the ability and the motivation to use ICT for knowledge transfer. Therefore if an organization wants to raise its learning ability it has to choose that ICT equipments which match with the tasks and processes of the business. Above it the employees should be able to use these equipments in a proper way and also should be motivated for using. Organizations have to expend time on training employees for using ICT equipments in a proper way. Not only teaching employees to use the functionality of devices is important but also necessary give them the right equipments and systems which match with the employees’ situation. The attitude of employees in connection with ICT equipments and systems is also a relevant question.

Key words:
knowledge transfer, knowledge sharing, information- and communication technologies, ICT, organizational learning

Date of abstract submission:
19.11.2013.

Conference:
REDETE 2014 - Researching Economic Development and Entrepreneurship in Transition Economies