A case study in knowledge sharing: Lessons from the information technology department of a French car manufacturer

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The growth of Information Technology (IT) within organisations has created the need for organisational evolution. These evolutions particularly concern the IT department which develops and manages the IT programs and infrastructures within the organisation. Not only the evolution of IT leads to a reassessment of individual knowledge and expertise within the IT department but it also has an impact on the collective competencies necessary to cooperate with internal customers, suppliers and consultants. This paper presents the organisational framework implemented within the IT department of a French car manufacturer in order to acquire and share knowledge better. We distinguish capitalisation tools, which, by creating standardised procedures and references, contribute to the collective memory and socialisation devices which produce tacit and fragmented knowledge. Finally, we identify a number of difficulties linked to the technical, professional and organisational rules of the IT department. Copyright © 2007 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.