Knowledge management: modeling the knowledge diffusion in community of practice

Abstract

Purpose To propose a model which can demonstrate the knowledge diffusion phenomenon in the community of practice. Design/methodology/approach An algorithm has been developed to illustrate the processes of knowledge diffusion between knowledge workers, and factor the coefficients of distance, willingness, motivation, and ability of comprehension and expression. Besides, two types of knowledge diffusion are proposed, i.e. the knowledge sharing and the knowledge discussion. Findings Change of knowledge worker will affect the knowledge diffusion within community of practice. The knowledge level of knowledge workers will be increased if more members join the community of practice, and vice versa. Besides, the development of knowledge workers will be constrained by the budget allocated and time available. Research limitations/implications The model developed is one of the few research papers that can quantify the knowledge diffusion within community of practice. Practical implications The development of knowledge workers can be tangibly measured and linked to the budget and time constraints, as a result, the enterprises can plan, predict and improve the knowledge management initiate. Originality/value Previous papers are mostly descriptive in nature, and they are too abstract to be tangibly understood. The model proposed eliminates the drawbacks and expand the research areas by using a mathematical model.