A management attitude towards knowledge fusion and innovation

Complexity management is related to problem solving. The managers role is shifting from controlling all means to creating the environment and structure in which the means are employed most effectively. The manager's role changes from a focus on short-term deadlines and results to communicating long term goals and empowerment. This change in perspective is in it self a very powerful means in reducing the observed complexity. Even so, the processes of development and innovation still need speeding up. This can be achieved through implementing organization structures with network capabilities (network organizations). However in the end, problem solving comes down to creative processes that very much depend on thought processes of individuals, under the influence of the group or the environment in which they do their creative work. Knowledge fusion as part of knowledge management is aimed at just that-creating an environment in which knowledge communication can take place that supports individuals to perform their creative task. Apart from providing structure and offering focus and content, managers can have a positive influence on these processes, if they understand the possibilities and limitations of various modalities of human communication. In this paper creativity and teamwork theory is discussed as a tool to provide an inspiring environment for individuals. Furthermore Wittgenstein's theory on knowledge, communication and logic is used to make explicit why knowledge communication sometimes fails.