Patterns of Knowledge Sharing and Knowledge Creation in New Information Environments

Do the knowledge sharing and creation processes in collaborating groups benefit from the use of new information environments or are the environments rather inhibitive to the development of these processes?

A number of different studies have shown quite varied results when it comes to appraising the importance and value of using new information technology in knowledge sharing and creation processes.

In this paper we will try to unveil the patterns appearing in the use of new information environment and the users' understanding of the significance of using information technology in knowledge sharing and creation processes. The aim is to obtain a deeper comprehension of which factors determine whether the use of information technology becomes a success or a failure in relation to knowledge sharing and creation.

The paper is based on three previous studies investigating the use of information technology in group work in learning processes: "Scenarios in computer-mediated and net-based education", "CLIENT - Collaborative Learning in an International Environment" and "RUC-online". Data in the studies is gathered through questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, focus-group interviews and observations.