Cultural Determinants of Leaning Effectiveness from Knowledge Management Systems: A Multinational Investigation

Abstract

Knowledge is a vital component of organizational success embedded within the human resources of a firm (Grant, 1996). Knowledge is lost by organizations when it is not used or when knowledgeable individuals turnover. Knowledge Management Systems (KMS) are designed to help organizations capture, store, distill, and distribute knowledge embedded within their employees. The effectiveness of KMS is dependent on individual learning and individual-specific learning preferences. Furthermore, as the world becomes more globalized and the job candidate pool from which organizations hire becomes more culturally diverse, the extent to which western models of organizational behavior hold becomes less clear. Using a multi-national survey, this study aims to determine to what extent learning preferences are dependent on culture. If learning preferences are dependent on culture, KMS designs that ignore culture may result in incomplete or ineffective knowledge transfer and learning outcomes. Our findings contribute to the KMS literature by suggesting that KMS design should be conducted with the goal of effectively facilitating learning across cultures. Specific KMS design recommendations include incorporating group activities and providing more flexibility, depending on the culturally derived learning preferences of specific users.

KEYWORDS:

• Knowledge Management Systems
• Culture
• Learning Preferences
• Fit

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Christopher P. Furner

Christopher P. Furner is an Assistant Professor in the department of of Information and Decision Management at West Texas A&M University. His research focuses on cultural determinants of individual level information systems outcomes. He holds a BSBA and an MBA from East Carolina University and a Ph.D. in Management Information Systems from Florida State University.

Robert M. Mason

Robert M. Mason is Professor and Associate Dean for Research in the Information School at the University of Washington. His current research focuses on the ethics of technology management and cultural aspects of knowledge management. A former president of the International Association for the Management of Technology (IAMOT), he serves on the senior editorial board for Technovation. He has an SB and SM in electrical engineering from MIT and a PhD in industrial and systems engineering from Georgia Tech.

Nikhil Mehta

Nikhil Mehta is an Assistant Professor of Management Information Systems at Florida A&M University, Florida. He has a Ph.D. in Management of Information Technology and Innovation from Auburn University, Alabama. His research interests span technology-enabled knowledge integration in teams, strategic implementation of knowledge management technologies, and strategic IT partnerships. His research has appeared or is forthcoming in Journal of Information Technology, Communications of the ACM, Journal of Knowledge Management and Knowledge Management Research and Practice.

Timothy P. Munyon

Timothy P. Munyon is a doctoral candidate in management at Florida State University. Before joining Florida State, Munyon worked as an airport consultant and planner. His research interests include work relationships, social influence, human resource management systems, and learning. He is the author of research published in outlets such as the Journal of Management and Human Resource Management Review.

Robert Zinko

Robert Zinko is an Assistant Professor at East Carolina University. His research area is primarily reputation, but often extends to other areas of social influence. He has published in journals such as Journal of Leadership & Organizational Studies, Journal of Applied Psychology and The Leadership Quarterly.