Exploring knowledge diversity in knowledge intensive firms: a new role for information systems

The emerging global economy is characterized increasingly by knowledge intensive firms which require that diverse, specialized knowledge workers develop unique knowledge competences, and also collaborate in ways to create new knowledge that enhances the performance of the organization. Information technologies are increasingly playing an integrative role in knowledge intensive firms as a way of achieving mutual learning. However, the information systems field has predominantly been driven by the notion of integration as a rational design process and an end state to be achieved through a static incorporation of knowledge domains. It has failed to consider the interpretive dynamics associated with the integration of differentiated knowledge and expertise. Argues a new role for information technology, one that supports the exploration of differentiated theories of meaning and knowledge and facilitates the conduct of dialogue among highly differentiated experts as a basis for integration.