Knowledge sharing is a crucial process for organisations to gain and maintain a competitive advantage. It involves the exchange of information, skills or expertise between individuals and departments within an organisation. This process supports the promotion of innovation, the improvement of productivity and the achievement of strategic goals [1][4].
What is knowledge sharing?
Knowledge sharing is a central component of knowledge management in companies. It includes both explicit and tacit knowledge. Explicit knowledge is documented and easy to share, while tacit knowledge comprises personal experiences and skills that are more difficult to transfer [2][4].
For example, companies often use intranets or internal blogs to share explicit knowledge. In such a system, employees can upload and share documents and manuals to disseminate knowledge and promote collaboration [9].
Practical challenges in knowledge sharing
One of the biggest challenges in knowledge sharing is overcoming individual barriers. Some employees feel more insecure in their position as a result of sharing their knowledge, which can lead to resistance to knowledge sharing. Companies must therefore create incentives and a supportive corporate culture to counteract these barriers [1].
To solve these challenges, companies can rely on incentive systems that encourage employees to share their knowledge. This can be done through bonuses or recognition to increase motivation and promote a culture of sharing [3].
Knowledge exchange as a competitive advantage
Effective knowledge sharing can significantly support companies by promoting innovation and increasing productivity. Through the continuous exchange of ideas and experiences, companies can react more quickly to changes and achieve greater competitive advantages [4][7].
In today's fast-paced business world, the ability to learn and adapt quickly is critical to success. Knowledge sharing enables companies to react dynamically and grow continuously, which makes them strong in competition [8].
BEST PRACTICE with one customer (name hidden due to NDA contract)A company in the technology solutions sector regularly uses workshops and virtual meetings to share expertise between teams. This has not only accelerated product development, but has also improved collaboration between the teams, resulting in higher employee satisfaction.
Methods for effective knowledge exchange
There are various methods to promote the exchange of knowledge in companies. These include personalised knowledge transfer through discussions and workshops as well as codified knowledge transfer via digital platforms and databases [7].
Another example is the use of social intranet platforms that make it easy to share and manage information. These platforms provide a central location for the exchange of documents and ideas, which significantly improves communication and collaboration within the organisation [2].
The exchange of knowledge in practice
In practice, knowledge sharing is often promoted through the use of tools such as e-learning platforms and virtual project rooms. These enable employees to share and learn information at any time and from any location [3].
One example is the use of video calls for virtual meetings, where employees from different departments come together to exchange ideas and work together on projects. This ability to communicate flexibly significantly supports the exchange of knowledge and promotes innovative solutions [9].
Promoting the exchange of knowledge
To promote knowledge sharing effectively, companies should create an open corporate culture. This culture must convey trust and a sense of security when employees share their knowledge. Incentives can also help to increase motivation and establish a culture of knowledge sharing [9].
My analysis
Knowledge sharing is a crucial component of knowledge management in companies. By sharing knowledge in a targeted manner, companies can increase their ability to innovate, boost productivity and achieve strategic goals. Companies that successfully implement knowledge sharing often achieve significant competitive advantages.
Further links from the text above:
Definition of knowledge sharing
Knowledge exchange in knowledge management
For more information and if you have any questions, please contact Contact us or read more blog posts on the topic Artificial intelligence here.
Deutsch 
English (UK)