Deciding to use an enterprise wiki: the role of social institutions and scripts

Abstract

Wikis have significant potential to improve knowledge work and information sharing within organisations. But in spite of their usability and simplicity, adoption experience is varied. In this research we conducted an ethnographic study of wiki implementation to understand why some people chose to use the systems and others did not. We focused upon the influence of institutional scripts on information sharing behaviour. We found that certain norms and premises at the industry, organisational and sub-unit level appear to influence decisions to use the wiki. This study contributes to the knowledge management literature by demonstrating the role of institutional scripts in decisions to use this software for knowledge sharing. It may also guide practitioners in planning for the introduction of social software and lead to further research into identifying social institutions in specific industry types, which influence users in their adoption decisions.

Keywords:

• knowledge sharing
• knowledge management practice
• collaborative systems

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Paul Jackson

About the authors

Paul Jackson had a 25-year career as a software development manager and strategic consultant, prior to becoming an academic. He has a Ph.D. in information systems development and his particular research interest is investigating knowledge and information management from philosophical, social and cognitive perspectives to improve outcomes.

Jane Klobas

Jane Klobas researches and teaches information systems and information science. She has been involved in knowledge management since the early 1980s, and remains connected to the applied field through consulting and case writing. She is currently involved in pure and applied research projects associated with use of the Internet for knowledge management, e-learning, and communities of practice.