Knowledge for sustainable development: the role of knowledge networks & organizational learning

Annotation for Knowledge for sustainable development: the role of knowledge networks & organizational learning

Paquette S., Wiseman. E.. 2006. Knowledge for sustainable development: the role of knowledge networks & organizational learning. American Conference on Information Systems 2006 Proceedings.

Aim/objectives: 

Discusses the relationship between knowledge networks, stakeholders, knowledge transfer and organizational learning in the context of sustainable development.

Geographic Focus: 

Methods: 

Key Findings: 

Knowledge networks involving diverse stakeholders can be viewed as a mechanism for facilitating corporate responsibility in relation to sustainable development. Knowledge transfer and organisational learning are central to these networks. This article views organisational learning as a social process, where organisational behaviour is changed through transfer of knowledge among multiple actors in unique ways. A review of the challenges for knowledge transfer among networks is presented based on theories of knowledge management. From this review, a number of propositions are presented in relation to network interactions between stakeholders and organisations, and their influence on organisational learning and sustainable development. These propositions are posited as a framework from which to focus further research.

Lessons: 

Understanding the function of contemporary knowledge networks in guiding appropriate organisational responses to environmental information is a research area in its infancy. This research is critical, however, given the role of networks in generating a conceptual and practical understanding of system interconnectedness at all levels. Adaptive learning relies on these networks and transfer of knowledge as the substance of reflection and change.