Knowledge Consolidation

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Knowledge Consolidation can be illustrated by the example of British Petroleum (BP) who enabled knowledge sharing through their Virtual Team Network , which started in 1995. 

Figure 25 is a summary of Knowledge Consolidation, where Steven Prokesch (1997) Interviews BP’s John Browne:

A significant element in BP's strategy, the Virtual Team Network was an innovative implementation of IT in the service of knowledge sharing.

The network began in 1995 as a $12 million pilot programme in BPX (the exploration and production division of BP at that time headed by John Browne who later became the Chief Executive of BP).

Four key elements can be identified in the success of the venture:

• AIM of the network was to allow people to work co-operatively and share knowledge quickly and easily regardless of time, distance, and organisational boundaries
• TECHNOLOGY behind the Virtual Team Network is a physical network of over 35,000 basic PCs linked together. The network also includes more advanced PCs that have videoconferencing capability, with attached scanners and faxes. All these computers are connected to an intranet.
• SOCIAL ENGINEERING required to make this initiative work was taken very seriously. Almost one third of the initial set-up cost was money spent on the work of behavioural scientists who guided participants in the pilot programmes in how to work effectively in a virtual environment. As noted by BP's Head of IT: “It required people to be co-operative and open about what they know, and not possessive”
• INFORMATION STRUCTURE provided, in this case, primarily by the participants. Every user is authorised to create his or her own home page where, for example: they can outline any particular skills or interests that they have. There are also pages devoted to specific, technical subjects

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Reference(s)
	Book		Botha, A., Kourie, D. & Snyman, R. (2008) Coping with Continuous Change in the Business Environment: Knowledge Management and Knowledge Management Technology. Chandos Publishing: United Kingdom (UK), England, Oxfordshire, Oxford. [ISBN: 9781780632056]. [Available on: Amazon: https://amzn.to/3zg6Clk].
	Editorial		Prokesch, S. E. (1997) Unleashing the power of learning: An interview with British petroleum's John Browne. Harvard Business Review, Volume: 75, Issue: 5, Page(s): 146-&. [Available on: HBR: https://hbr.org/1997/09/unleasing-the-power-of-learning-an-interview-with-british-petroleums-john-browne].

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Reference (or cite) Article
	Kahlon, R. S. (2013) Knowledge Consolidation [Online]. dkode: United Kingdom, England, London. [Published on: 2013-01-26]. [Article ID: RSK666-0000081]. [Available on: dkode | Ravi - https://ravi.dkode.co/2013/01/knowledge-consolidation.html].

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