s of intellect. Knowledge management effectively applied allows for such a higher degree of collaboration. While knowledge management is a broad field that impacts many aspects of organizational activities and functions, work collaboration is one of the main benefits of its use. This analysis will discuss the impact of knowledge management on the level of work collaboration in today’s organizational environment.
Intellectual assets have become a corporation’s most valuable asset when it comes to many aspects of business. From providing for more-informed, better decision-making to helping diminish errors and adding value to products and services, knowledge management allows a high degree of collaboration and information sharing. Many firms that employ KM have used it in order to raise the degree of collaboration among employees, among experts in various disciplines pertinent to the organization, among suppliers, and customers. Texaco was one of the first companies to apply the principles of KM across all aspects of the organization. As one executive notes “The only way vendors can find it lucrative to step into verticals or collaborate with other vendors” (Deveau 15). We have witnessed the enormous success of Amazon.com which is willing to share information, ideas, and customer information with other vendors who utilize its Web site.
From law firms to technology manufacturers, knowledge management has allowed a greater degree of collaboration both internally and externally. Internally, employees are able to share information in a rapid, accessible, and efficiency manner. Changes in technology and communications have made the cost of adding extra users very affordable. So, too, knowledge management is used for external collaboration. For example, law firms are sharing information with each other via technology which enables them to acquire and utilize information from a larger pool of experts and specialized la...