Web 2.0 implications on knowledge management

Levy, M. (2009). Web 2.0 implications on knowledge management. Journal of knowledge management, 13(1), 120-134

In her peer reviewed article Web 2.0 implications on knowledge management published in the Journal of Knowledge Management Moira Levy, CEO at ROM Knowledge, attempts to provide an understanding of whether Web 2.0 tools can better assimilate knowledge in organisations.

This review will investigate Levy’s definition of the Web 2.0 impact on knowledge management (KM), as well as the effect of Web 2.0 on KM culture.

Knowledge management (KM) is a critical aspect of any organisation. Having the right knowledge means an organisation possesses a power to monitor situations, act and react wisely and quickly (Soon, Chen, & Underwood, 2003). Therefore the technology an organisation chooses for KM is crucial.

In this paper Levy states Web 2.0 signals a new wave for KM and the industry can learn a lot from Web 2.0. Enterprise 2.0 “symbolises implementation of the Web 2.0 infrastructure and/or tools by organisations” (Levy, 2009, p. 126) and is greater than just KM. The Enterprise 2.0 concept is that organisations can adopt tools such as blogs and wikis to become an everyday part of their operating environment (McAfee, 2006). Levy argues that by implementing Web 2.0 tools in the everyday business that users will be able to collaborate and share information more easily. Or at least they will in a perfect world.

Web 2.0 principals dictate that users can choose when and where they participate – be it though a blog, Twitter, Facebook or not at all. Letting users decide if and which tools they use in business is dangerous road for organisations to follow. As Levy points out, knowledge is too important to let user opt out of KM. Traditional KM controls the collection of information which conflicts with the participatory nature of web 2.0. It is essential that if Web 2.0 technologies are implemented in organisations that knowledge managers create a culture where the tools are used.

This paper is thought provoking and Levy creates as many questions as she provides answers. Levy states that by implementing new technologies such as blogs and wikis Web 2.0 can become part of the knowledge management toolbox to allow the sharing of knowledge in organisations. However Web 2.0 is as much about principles and culture as it is about technology, therefore creating an environment where employees use Web 2.0 tools is not as simple as giving users the tools.

Organisations are now not only struggling with how they implement Web 2.0 but how they encourage participation. A new generation of Web 2.0 savvy employees coming into the employment sector may just be the kick needed to implement Enterprise 2.0.

References

Levy, M. (2009). Web 2.0 implications on knowledge management. Journal of knowledge management, 13(1), 120-134

McAfee, A. (2006). Enterprise 2.0. Retrieved 13 December, 2010, from http://andrewmcafee.org/2006/05/enterprise_20_version_20/

Soon, L., Chen, P., & Underwood, A. (2003). Explicit knowledge in web-based export trading. Retrieved 13 December, 2010, from http://ausweb.scu.edu.au/aw03/papers/soon/paper.html