Knowledge management : what happens to management when knowledge goes mobile?

Abstract

There is a drive towards a more mobile society. Some factors are slowing us down, and other factors are pulling us ahead, but we are moving forward. Alvesson and Kärreman’s (2001) theories are used to discuss a shift in organizing, and in the foundations for management in professional, knowledge intensive environments going mobile. Evidence indicates that a manager experiencing a shift towards a more mobile workforce should change communication routines. When an increasing share of the communication becomes electronic, a larger part of the available face to face time should be prioritized to personal communication and community building activities. The administrative communication can be transferred to electronic channels, which seem to handle such communication well. It also appears that mobile technology has a potential in improving efficiency by providing mobile workers the ability to merge work tasks that previously have been separated by time and place. Efficiency in networking and instant access to resources are other consequences from implementation of mobile solutions.

The theories of Von Krogh, Ichijo and Nonaka (2000) are applied in order to show that the mentioned shift could be a step in the right direction to a more creative work environment. Managers must contribute in the new communication channels, and also have the ability of building trusting relationship with their employees. Mobility appears to be an underlying function of the social interaction in a working situation, and it can be seen as an amplifier for some of the preconditions Von Krogh, Ichijo and Nonaka (2000) mentions that are necessary for enabling knowledge creation. Mobile technology becomes an enabler for the enablers.