Knowledge sharing, an infinite puzzle ...

Abstract

Immense changes in the business environment during the 90’s have lead to a focus on knowledge as a key issue for competitiveness. Many authors have recommended various tools for the creation, storage and dissemination of knowledge in organisations.Knowledge sharing however, does not exclusively rely on technical means; knowledge sharing is primary a social phenomenon. The purpose of this thesis was to investigate current knowledge sharing practices at Discovery R&D, AstraZeneca in Mölndal, as well as to see how it could be improved by looking at respondents view on knowledge and knowledge sharing, what knowledge they share and how, as well as which incentives and barriers to knowledge sharing that exist. In total 24 interviews were carried out.The result showed that knowledge sharing is working well, but that there are many barriers that could be overcome, as well as improvements that could be done, such as creating a common understanding of knowledge and knowledge sharing.