Pattern-Based Knowledge Building in Learning Organizations

Abstract

Learning organizations strive to encourage knowledge exchange and knowledge building. Through externalization of knowledge into a shared digital artefact, individual knowledge is integrated into organizational knowledge. Through internalization, organizational knowledge is applied individually. Through discussion and collaborative revision of the artefact, organizational knowledge develops and thus again stimulates individual knowledge. Cress and Kimmerle [1] describe this process as co-evolution of individual and organizational knowledge. The current paper adopts the co-evolution model to knowledge-in-use, defined as complex knowledge needed for activities that are performed frequently. Such knowledge is often tacit and therefore difficult to externalize, internalize, or discuss. We propose that patterns facilitate the exchange of knowledge-in-use. The implementation of a pattern-based knowledge exchange tool in a large, decentralized organization is introduced.