Envisioning knowledge-based systems impacts: a groupware facilitated simulation approach

摘要

Various studies show that the introduction of knowledge-based systems (KBS) in a corporate environment may have far-reaching organizational impacts. What impacts are expected is one of the aspects to consider when assessing the plausibility of a proposed KBS application. Standard methods for evaluating potential KBS applications, however, primarily focus on technical considerations, their attention to potential organizational impacts, if present at all, is minimal and vague. An approach is proposed to rectify this. The approach centres on three issues. First, the task to be addressed is defined as the assessment of what the state of the knowledge household of the organization may be expected to become after KBS introduction. Second, it promotes a focus on group processes, by involving those organizational members that may be affected by the KBS introduction. Third, to enhance the effectiveness of the group processes an external facilitator and groupware support are suggested. Application of the approach is illustrated and elaborated by means of a case study.