Strengthening an Organizational Knowledge-Sharing Culture

Abstract

To improve knowledge sharing at the video game company Ubisoft, the knowledge management team investigated the key elements comprising a knowledge sharing culture. A knowledge sharing culture circle outlining both enablers and barriers to effective knowledge sharing is constructed. The five enablers—the nature of knowledge, opportunities to share, motivation to share, the culture and work environment, and trust—should be supported to strengthen knowledge sharing. At the same time, the barriers hindering efficient knowledge sharing at Ubisoft—confidentiality, knowledge hoarding, competition, and lack of prioritization—must be addressed to leverage the benefits of shared knowledge. The interconnected nature of both the enablers and the barriers must be taken into account when constructing initiatives intended to strengthen a culture of knowledge sharing. Five initiatives are described: a new content management paradigm, strengthened internal job communities, redefined internal security policies, objectives and key results on knowledge sharing, and targeted training.