The influence of organizational identification on organizational knowledge management (KM)

M. N. Ravishankar*, Shan L. Pan*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

37 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Information technology (IT) outsourcing vendor organizations contain isolated business units whose creation and sustenance greatly facilitate business operations. But they also introduce important challenges for organizational knowledge management (KM). In this paper, based on 7 months of intensive field-work at India Inc., a leading Indian IT firm, we looked at how members' identification with two organizations, their own and their client organization, influences their compliance with an organizational KM initiative. The findings show that members have difficulties in complying with the expectations of the organizational KM initiative owing to a stronger identification with their client organizations. At the same time, they comply readily with KM initiatives at the business unit level. The findings show that KM managers at India Inc. use the help of middle level managers in the business units in their efforts to improve members' compliance with organizational KM. Theoretical and managerial implications of the study are discussed.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)221-234
Number of pages14
JournalOmega
Volume36
Issue number2
Early online date15 Sept 2006
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2008
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Case study
  • Identification
  • Knowledge management (KM) implementation
  • Organizational identity

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Strategy and Management
  • Management Science and Operations Research
  • Information Systems and Management

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