Corporate portal: a tool for knowledge management synchronization

Abstract

As the basis of value creation and success of organizations increasingly depends on the leverage of knowledge available internally, knowledge management systems (KMS) are emerging as vital tools for competitive advantage. Among these KMS, corporate portals present the potential of providing organizations with a rich and complex shared information workspace for the generation, exchange, and use of knowledge. But developing corporate portals and building the critical mass of users required to make them successful is not an easy task. In this paper, drawing upon the literature review and an analysis of early adopters of corporate portals, we address the strength of this tool which consists mainly in synchronizing and supporting knowledge processes, put the emphasis on factors inhibiting its adoption by companies and finally propose some perspectives for a successful implementation.

Introduction

The widespread adoption of networks and information technology has vastly increased our ability to store, transfer and generate knowledge, enabling and accelerating the emergence of an economic, organizational and technological landscape, that is knowledge-based (Schwartz, Eamonn, & Boyer, 1999; Romano, Elia, & Passiante, 2001). This perspective builds upon and extends the resource-based view (RBV) of the firm initially promoted by Penrose (1959) and expanded by others (Barney, 1986; Chandler, 1992; Prahalad & Hamel, 1990; Teece, Pisano, & Shuen, 1997). The premise of the RBV is that organizations employ a mix of acquisition and configuration of resources to change how their business is accomplished. Knowledge is often the basis for the effective utilization of many important resources. In this context, Information and Communication technologies may play an important role in effectuating the knowledge-based view of the firm by enhancing the firm's capability to manage the knowledge it possesses. This awareness is one of the main reasons for the exponential growth of knowledge management systems (KMS). KMS are technologies that support knowledge management in organizations, specifically, knowledge generation, codification, and transfer (Ruggles, 1997). In fact, a 2000 survey conducted by KPMG shows that the use of KMS is common in organizations worldwide and has numerous benefits (KPMG, 2000). However, despite the potential benefits from KMS, the report also finds that companies were experiencing difficulties in effectively using these technologies. To address this issue, this paper focuses on a particular type of KMS, which is corporate portal, that presents the potential of providing organizations with a rich and complex shared information workspace for the generation, exchange, and use of knowledge. Building upon a large literature review, insights from eight case studies of early adopters and our own experience in dealing with some aspects of the implementation phase of STMicroelectronics portal, we address the strengths of this tool which consist mainly in supporting knowledge development phases and focus on challenges and problems that organizations may face during its implementation.

The paper is organized as follows: Section 1 presents a review on knowledge, knowledge management processes and systems. The following section focuses on a particular tool of KMS, that is the corporate portal; we present a comprehensive view of definitions and characteristics of this tool based on a comparative analysis of eight case studies in order to identify the potential role of corporate portal features in the various stages of the knowledge management processes. We then focus on the major barriers limiting its adoption and use by organizations. In the final section, building on the factors identified, we provide some perspectives for a successful implementation.