Towards a Knowledge Perspective

Towards a Knowledge Perspective on Organisation

Karl-Erik Sveiby

Department of Business Administration University of Stockholm

Doctoral Dissertation 1994 University of Stockholm S-106 91 Stockholm

This is my doctoral dissertation, probably the first in the world using epistemology to interpret a business case. The dissertation methodology is also unusual, because I was allowed to use my own experience and my own company as the major sources.

This is a one page abstract. The whole dissertation is available as two html files. Click on them to read!

Dissertation chapters 1-3 approx 300K

Dissertation chapters 4-6 approx 200K

Abstract

The role of knowledge during the period 1975-1993 in five areas in one Swedish publishing company is studied. The empirical data is combined with the author´s own practical experience from the company, which was run as a partnership. A theoretical framework based on Michael Polanyi´s epistemology and information theory is developed on a constructivist foundation. By using this framework the empirical data can be said to be focused through a knowledge perspective.

The core process-of-knowing in processing of information was found to be reduction of information, defined as "Infoduction".

Tradition of the processes-of-knowing and indirect transfer of information were found to constitute vital elements in how organising took place.

Two markets, an Information market and a Know-how market, were identified. Both markets were based on infoduction and were interrelated but they were characterised by different customer relationships. The information market could be seen as a market for products characterised by surplus. On the know-how market, the whole process-of-knowing is transferred in an interactive process.

A dichotomy between professional and organisational traditions of knowledge was identified as the most influential. Organising was found to be "non-managed". Power was found to cycle between one of two traditions determining the agenda for discussion.

The strategy was found to be a process that emerged from the professional knowledge tradition. Later, two tracks of expansion emerged so a dual strategic pattern was identified: one based on the professional knowledge tradition and the other on the organisational knowledge tradition.

General implications of the study for other information processing organisations are discussed and further research leading towards a more comprehensive Knowledge Perspective on Organisation is suggested.

Address: Korsudden, S-132 42 Saltsjö-Boo, Sweden.

Cover design: Olof Nauclér

Distribution: Akademitryck AB, Edsbruk, Sweden.

Telephone: 0493-40101

Facsimile: 0493-40131

ISBN 91-7153-267-6