Comparing Learning and Knowledge Management Theories in an Australian Telecommunications Practice

Abstract

A community of practice in a communications company was examined to discover how design specialists learned and shared knowledge to produce innovative designs. Contemporary learning and knowledge management theories were used as the basis for comparison. The design team revealed how they applied learning and knowledge management principles during their internal processes. Action research, reflection inaction and nominal focus group techniques were used. Several workflow models were produced by the participants to explain and contrast learning and knowledge management as applied in e-business. The findings indicated that the team did not apply conventional learning or knowledge management methodologies, but instead used a modified learning model.

Keywords

Australian telecommunications e-business tacit process knowledge management organizational learning community of practice

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