Title: Filling knowledge gaps: knowledge sharing across inter-firm boundaries and occupational communities

Authors: Sajjad Haider, Francesca Mariotti

Addresses: School of Management and Law, Edinburgh Napier University, Edinburgh, EH14 1DJ, UK. ' School of Management, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA, UK

Abstract: This paper explores the micro-level processes of interaction across organisational boundaries and occupational communities. Based on a retrospective processual analysis, this study shows that in filling knowledge gaps, organisations put in place a series of knowledge mechanisms, which lead them to socially interact with their alliance partners. Both the deployment of existing knowledge and the creation of new knowledge are based on processes of interaction, which derive from the interplay between alliance actors. It is suggested that through both social interaction and the use of boundary objects, individuals are able to communicate, engage in problem-solving activities and share their ideas to fill knowledge gaps.

Keywords: knowledge sharing; boundary objects; alliances; micro-processes; processual analysis; communities of practice; organisational knowledge gaps; inter-firm boundaries; occupational communities; knowledge management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJKMS.2010.029784

International Journal of Knowledge Management Studies, 2010 Vol.4 No.1, pp.1 - 17

Published online: 02 Dec 2009 *

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