In team collaboration we deal with collaboration among team members that may either belong to the same enterprise (intra-enterprise collaboration) or among team members belonging to different companies (e.g., in research projects). Social media provide an efficient and accessible means of encouraging and
supporting team members working together on shared objects, i.e., performing collaborative tasks within these teams. Due to ease of use and access, especially small or medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) may profit a lot from social media in team collaboration. Based on a number of case studies on the application of social media in SMEs, we analyze the adoption and implementation, the motivation of team members and their benefit, and success factors of the utilization of social media for team collaboration. To provide a set of case studies that allow for detailed comparison and in-depth analysis of multiple case studies, a standardized case study structure is introduced.
Social Software shows a fascinating range of usage possibilities in enterprises. Such tools are very simple and provide individual users with high degrees of freedom. This implies the need for a negotiation process, where users develop a shared understanding of how to use the tools in order to work together towards a common goal. In several case studies on organisational usage of microblogging we found that these adoption processes can be described by using Tuckman-Jensen’s model of group development, proposing five generic stages: forming, storming, norming, performing and adjourning. We apply this model to describe and interpret observations of microblogging adoption and argue that this process is mainly driven by social interactions rather than technical constraints.
Siemens is well known for ambitious efforts in knowledge management, providing a series of innovative tools and applications within the intranet. References@BT is such a web-based application aimed to support globally sharing knowledge, experiences and best-practices within the Building Technologies Division. As a reaction to the demand of employees, a new microblogging service, tightly integrated into References@BT, was implemented in March 2009. In this paper, we comprehensively describe motivation, experiences and advantages for the organization in providing an internal microblogging application. Because of the tight inte-gration, we also outline general facts of the knowledge management application.
This paper looks at the convergence of knowledge management and Enterprise 2.0 and describes the possibilities for an overarching exchange and transfer of knowledge in Enterprise 2.0. This will be underlined by the presentation of the concrete example of T-Systems Multimedia Solutions GmbH (MMS), which describes the establishment of a new portfolio element using a community approach “IG eHealth”. This is typified by the decentralised development of common ideas, collaboration and the assistance available to performing responsibilities as provided by Enterprise 2.0 tools. Regarding the collaboration of knowledge workers as the basis, a regulatory framework will be developed for knowledge management to serve as a template for the systemisation and definition of specific Enterprise 2.0 activities. The paper will conclude by stating enabling factors and supporting Enterprise 2.0 activities, which will facilitate the establishment of a expert knowledge management system for the optimisation of knowledge transfer.
Bringing together knowledge bearers is a crucial factor for innovation in highperformance sports. Since the capabilities of a growing amount of nations are converging, every detail counts to win a competition. To harness the competence, experience and knowledge of various stakeholders, the Innovation Network Alpine Skiing has developed a custom-designed knowledge and idea management system. Having adapted Web 2.0 technologies to the requirements of innovation in the special environment of high-performance sports, the knowledge workers are enabled to easily contribute to the innovation process. The Wiki-based solution called “SkiBaserl”1 is successfully used in several development projects within the German Skiing Association. This article delivers an outline of the development process, the implementation and an evaluation of the tool.
An increasing amount of companies are interested in using the innovative potential of Web 2.0 technologies. This paper describes the main results of a comparative analysis of several quantitative empirical studies on the use of Web 2.0 in enterprises. This includes findings about diffusion, possibilities of application, benefits, barriers, and factors of success for the use of Web 2.0 in enterprises. The findings of this comparative study show effective and reasonable ways of using Web 2.0 in enterprises.