Knowledge transfer by sharing task templates: two approaches and their psychological requirements

Abstract

This paper considers two paradigms of process-aware information systems (PAIS) that are used to share knowledge about planning and executing tasks. The case-based task management (CBTM) system is based on the transduction of execution protocols, so-called cases; and the pattern-based task management (PBTM) system is based on task patterns that are derived from cases but yield more abstract information. As user motivation to contribute to a collaborative task management system is a crucial factor for its success, we consider the different motivational requirements of CBTM and PBTM from a psychological point of view. Based on experimental findings about different factors that have been shown to enhance people's motivation to contribute their knowledge to a shared pool, we compare the two approaches and assess which one is more appropriate with respect to motivation.

Keywords:

• knowledge sharing
• process-oriented knowledge management
• human–computer interaction
• personal task management
• task patterns

Acknowledgements

The work published in this paper is (partly) funded by the E.C. through the NEPOMUK IP (http://nepomuk.semanticdesktop.org). It does not represent the view of E.C. or the NEPOMUK consortium, and authors are solely responsible for the paper's content. The experiments were funded by the DFG (German Science Foundation) from 2000 to 2006 (provided to F.W. Hesse and U. Cress).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Uwe V Riss

About the authors

Uwe Riss is a senior researcher at SAP Research in Karlsruhe. He received a degree in Mathematics (Dipl.-Math.) from the University of Marburg and a doctorate in natural sciences (Dr. rer. nat.) from the University of Heidelberg. He is leading the task management research in the EU project NEPOMUK and has published various articles in the field of knowledge management.

Ulrike Cress

Ulrike Cress is the Head of the Department ‘Design and Implementation of Integrative Learning Environments’ in the Knowledge Media Research Center (KMRC) in Tuebingen. She holds a diploma in Psychology, earned a doctorate in 1999 and received the venia legendi for Psychology in 2006. She has published many articles in various journals dealing with social aspects of knowledge sharing, the design of eLearning, and psychological aspects of computer-supported collaborative learning.

Joachim Kimmerle

Joachim Kimmerle is an assistant professor in the Department of Applied Cognitive Psychology and Media Psychology at the University of Tuebingen. He holds a diploma in Psychology (Dipl.-Psych.) and earned a doctorate in natural sciences (Dr. rer. nat.). Prior to his current position, he was a research associate at the Knowledge Media Research Center (Tuebingen) and a visiting lecturer at the University of Cooperative Education (Stuttgart). He has published articles in various journals including Communication Research, Computers in Human Behavior and International Journal of Human–Computer Studies.

Stefan Martin

Stefan Martin received his University degree in Mathematics at the University of Wuppertal, Germany. Since 2002, he is a research associate at the Knowledge Media Research Center (KMRC) in Tuebingen. His research interests are mathematical modeling of communication processes and simulations.