Knowledge Management Systems and Work Improvements: The Moderating Effects of Work Characteristics

Abstract

Knowledge is regarded as an important source of competitive advantage in modern organisations, and the use of knowledge exchange systems to facilitate the storage, transfer, and reuse of existing knowledge has become common. Solutions beyond the technology are, however, important for the efficiency of such systems, and thus their ability to improve work performance. Based on the survey data collected from a large petroleum operator company and eight of its main contractors, this paper examines how work characteristics and job design affect the extent to which the use of knowledge exchange systems leads to work performance improvements. We find that behaviour formalisation, work autonomy, and changing/new work demands are significant moderators of this relationship. The study contributes to the theory and practice of knowledge management in general, and the use of knowledge exchange systems specifically.