In recent years knowledge has become one of the most central themes in managerial science. Knowledge at all gains a high importance in social and corporate life and is seen as a success factor which is indispensable to pass the competition in agressive markets. Organisations are seen as systems of knowledge which have to acquire knowledge through processes of learning and self generating1. Popular buzzwords and concepts of managerial and organis ational science like the knowledge spiral, knowledge intensive firms and the proclamation of a knowledge society underline the meaning of knowledge in the current scientific debate. In this context the intra- and extraorganisational transfer of knowledge is widely discussed. Alongside the formalisation of knowledge transfer e.g. by means of databases and standardised training methods, the more informal knowledge transfer through narrations, myth and anecdotes approaches in the focal point2, because conventional knowledge management methods hit upon their frontiers when it is required to cover and confer “soft” knowledge which is difficult to access and elusive. Sharing knowledge through stories is emerging as a powerful way to exchange and consilidate knowledge. So it is not astonishing that stories and their possible impact in increasing the operating efficiency are worldwide observed among general practitioners as well3. The aim of this paper is to give an overview about the possibilities and restrictions of knowledge transfer through narrations. Starting with a review, some theoretical common definitions are presented by a following characterisation of organisational stories and naming their functions in organisational life. In the principle part the paper tries to define the disposition of knowledge transferred through stories and to show exe mplary the transfer of narrative knowledge among communities of practice and also the transfer of knowledge about the organisational culture. Afterwards some possible contributes of storytelling for organisational training effectivness are exemplified. The last part tries to identify possible boundaries and weak points of knowledge transfer through narrations and draws a short survey.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Organisational Stories
- Characteristics of Organisational Stories
- Function of Organisational Stories
- Narrations as Carriers of Knowledge
- Narrative Knowledge
- The Distribution of Technical Knowledge
- Transmission of Organisational Culture
- Contributions of Formalising Storytelling
- Vicarious Learning
- Concept Learning
- The Boundaries of Storytelling
- Concluding Remarks
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of the possibilities and restrictions of knowledge transfer through narratives. It examines the theoretical definitions of organizational stories and their functions in organizational life, focusing on the transfer of narrative knowledge, organizational culture, and the contributions of storytelling to organizational training effectiveness. The paper also explores potential boundaries and weaknesses of knowledge transfer through narrations.
- The role of narratives in knowledge transfer within organizations
- The characteristics and functions of organizational stories
- The transfer of knowledge through stories in communities of practice and organizational culture
- The potential of storytelling to enhance organizational training
- The limitations of knowledge transfer through narratives
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: This chapter introduces the concept of knowledge as a central theme in managerial science and highlights the importance of knowledge transfer, particularly through informal methods like narratives, myths, and anecdotes.
- Organisational Stories: This chapter delves into various definitions and classifications of organizational stories. It examines different perspectives on what constitutes an organizational story, including the importance of chronology, characters, and action, and the significance of fragments and shared experiences.
- Characteristics of Organisational Stories: This chapter explores the different types of organizational stories based on their purpose, content, and style. It highlights the distinctions between formal and informal stories, identifies common story types like "rule-breaking stories," and discusses the use of poetic modes in storytelling.
- Function of Organisational Stories: This chapter examines the various functions of organizational stories beyond knowledge transfer. It explores the roles of narratives in social cohesion, preserving organizational memory, creating a sense of uniqueness, and fostering unlearning and adaptation.
- Narrations as Carriers of Knowledge: This chapter examines the ability of narrations to transfer knowledge. It highlights the role of stories in promoting sensemaking, their natural acceptance as a mode of knowledge circulation, and their effectiveness in communicating tacit knowledge.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This paper focuses on the transfer of knowledge through narratives, examining organizational stories, storytelling, knowledge management, tacit knowledge, communities of practice, and organizational culture. It explores the benefits and limitations of this approach in various organizational contexts, including training and development.
- Quote paper
- Nikos Kalitta (Author), 2004, Knowledge transfer through narrations - Wissenstransfer mit Hilfe von Narrationen, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/31798