Title: Successful knowledge sharing in virtual projects - a review of an EU FP7 project

Authors: Elly Philpott

Addresses: University of Bedfordshire, Putteridge Bury campus, Hitchin Rd, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU2 8LE, UK

Abstract: This article focuses on the motivations, enablers and barriers to successful participation in EU FP7 projects. It captures the use of portals for partner search, use of SKYPE for virtual meetings and the role that technology-enhanced knowledge sharing plays in the initiation, implementation and successful closure of projects. Case phenomena is explained in terms of socio-technical theories of knowledge sharing such as use and gratification theory; social exchange theory; bond theory; identity theory; however, we need to incorporate individual user characteristics, expertise in tool use, and characteristics of the information systems success model and co-opetition theory to adequately describe the phenomena witnessed. We also conclude that applicable theory is lifecycle dependent. The practical value of this paper is that it describes knowledge sharing from a real and recent case. Reflective practice, in an EU context is rare and as such the case is both informative for the development of collaborative innovation and knowledge sharing theory but also practical for those considering the same path.

Keywords: online communities; virtual communities; web-based communities; motivation; Europe; case study; information systems; knowledge sharing; virtual projects; EU FP7 projects; portals; skype; collaborative innovation; collaboration; use and gratification theory; social exchange theory; bond theory; identity theory; individual user characteristics; tool use expertise; co-opetition theory.

DOI: 10.1504/IJITM.2013.054856

International Journal of Information Technology and Management, 2013 Vol.12 No.3/4, pp.189 - 213

Accepted: 29 Jun 2012
Published online: 19 Dec 2013 *

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