Using Mentoring and Storytelling to Transfer Knowledge in the Workplace.

Author List: Swap, Walter; Leonard, Dorothy; Shields, Mimi; Abrams, Lisa;

Journal of Management Information Systems, 2001, Volume 18, Issue 1, Page 95-114.

The core capabilities of an organization include critical skills of employees, management systems, and norms and values. Core capabilities may be transferred formally and explicitly. However, much knowledge, particularly knowledge with rich tacit dimensions, is transferred informally through processes of socialization and internalization. We focus on two transfer mechanisms--mentoring and storytelling--that can leverage the knowledge of an organization, particularly its tacit knowledge, to build core capabilities. We draw on relevant research in learning and cognitive psychology to clarify the conditions under which mentoring and storytelling can be most effective as carriers of knowledge. Finally, we present recommendations for specific managerial practices that follow from our analysis.

Keywords: cognition; core capabilities; informal learning; mentoring; stories; tacit knowledge

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List of Topics

#144	0.371	knowledge transfer management technology creation organizational process tacit research study organization processes work organizations implications practice explicit models consultants transfers
#21	0.187	research information systems science field discipline researchers principles practice core methods area reference relevance conclude set focus propose perspective inquiry
#59	0.119	capabilities capability firm firms performance resources business information technology firm's resource-based competitive it-enabled view study value infrastructure results organizational model
#14	0.054	training learning outcomes effectiveness cognitive technology-mediated end-user methods environments longitudinal skills performance using effective method e-learning web-based basic ability learn