Posted by Yogesh Malhotra on May 21, 1998 at 19:40:18:

In Reply to: Learning (Teaching) in Times of Dramatic Change with Geographically Disbersed Group posted by Jim Murray on May 20, 1998 at 20:23:28:

Jim,

The key issue you are underscoring is the sharing of information and knowledge: the former relates to specific information artifacts such as documents, facts, recipes for action, etc. and the latter relates to beliefs about the various issues as they relate to organizational and individual action... and ultimately organizational performance.

Use of groupware may not be a bad idea... however the problems with most groupware solutions are twofold, both of which may be overcome by balancing the technological and behavioral / sociological concerns.

First, most such solutions are based on the 'selling' concept, i.e., "now you have this fancy system... use it!!" In contrast the 'marketing' concept focuses on the needs and wants of the various representatives (in your case). Apparently, most of them have individual / departmental / divisional needs and wants to share information with each other toward achievement of your broader organizational goals. How about seeking their inputs on what they think would serve their objectives best in this specific context... you can help their decision-making process by differentiating the functions that are served by various choices available. If sufficiently motivated about _what they want_, they may be even willing to learn the user interface aspects of any new groupware solution. The key is this: attempt to achieve a broad consensus on _what they want to do_ and then offer various solutions towards facilitating _what they want to achieve_... finally it is their choice that ultimately determines use / disuse of any new groupware system.

The second issue relates to learning the use of new system... this issue may not be that overwhelming after all... The very fact that the members are motivated in investing to learn the use of the system based on their choice would perhaps ensure 'personal investment' of the individuals in the overall process. Sooner or later, many of them would need to learn the use of new systems if they aspire to 'carry the torch of tool facilitated knowledge sharing' to their own divisions / departments / constituents. Importantly, most groupware solutions may be tailored to facilitate the users' perceptions of ease-of-use... the idea is to keep the technology as 'transparent' as possible. In other words, following the age old principle of KISS ('keep it simple stupid'). Remember, the object is to ensure the maximal exchange of rich communication, not to impress or overwhelm the users with the latest and greatest bells and whistles that may contribute only marginally to their (and your) key goals. If there is an adequate level of users' perceptions about the ease of use of the new system and its contribution to organizational performance via _what they want to do_, it should facilitate effective acceptance as well as utilization of the new system.

About the point that you have noted as most important: "Most importantly they also need to be encouraged and even challenged to develop contribute more to their own and the organization's learning"....

Encouragement breeds on doing _what you want to do_ and challenge makes even learning of new stuff fun... if it contributes to _what you want to do_. To some extent, these two issues were addressed above... broadly these issues again relate to personal involvement, motivation and commitment of the individual representatives toward achievement of their individual and shared goals.

In summary,... focus on what your representatives want to achieve in terms of learning and sharing of information / context... suggest the various options that can facilitate the achievement of what they want... help them in choosing the solution that they believe can contribute best to their (and your) goals... help them in setting challenging - but attainable - goals in terms of knowledge sharing... and let them have fun with the process... Once they 'buy into' the system and the process based on their own involvement with the process, there won't be any need to "sell" it to them.

For learning more about the practice of issues discussed above, here are some links that may help:

Virtual Corporations, Human Issues & Information Technology

• Knowledge Management for the New World of Business


• Business Process Reengineering & Innovation


• Organizational Learning
• Intranets: What? Why? How?
• Technology Enabled Learning of Individuals & Groups

Sincerely,

Yogesh Malhotra

• Yogesh Malhotra

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Follow Ups:

• Re: Sharing Learning While Having Fun Jim Murray 12:31:56 5/22/98 (1)
  • Enabling Knowledge Sharing by Intrinsic Motivation Yogesh Malhotra 14:19:33 5/22/98 (0)

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