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Martin Eppler
Title
Prof. Dr.
Last Name
Eppler
First name
Martin
Email
martin.eppler@unisg.ch
Phone
+41 71 224 2297
Homepage
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1 - 5 of 5
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PublicationCaring for Clarity in Knowledge CommunicationKnowledge communication is an essential mechanism to facilitate intra- and inter-organizational knowledge transfer. In order to improve the efficiency of knowledge communication, organizations need to pay particular attention to the clarity of conveyed knowledge in order not to create confusion, misunderstandings, or misapplication of knowledge. In this contribution, we show where and how the concept of clarity matters for knowledge management in general, and for knowledge communication in particular. We review and operationalize the clarity concept so that it can become the object of a systematic management effort. Furthermore, we show ways of how clarity can be pro-actively and systematically managed. We have tested our conception of clarity in a survey on clarity in knowledge-focused presentations, and we present the results in this article. An outlook on future research on clarity in knowledge management concludes the contribution.Type: journal articleJournal: Journal of Universal Computer ScienceVolume: 17Issue: 10
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PublicationKnowledge Communication Problems between Experts and Decision Makers: an Overview and ClassificationIn this article we examine the difficulties of knowledge communication among experts and decision makers. We begin by outlining where and how the communication of expertise from specialists to managers is crucial. We then review theoretical constructs that highlight knowledge transfer problems among experts and decision makers. On the basis of this review and using the results from six focus groups and thirty interviews with engineers and managers, we categorise these transfer challenges into five major groups. We distinguish among expert? and manager?caused problems, reciprocal problems, problems due to the interaction situation and problems caused by the organisational context. These categories can be used to guide research on the micro?aspects of knowledge transfer. Managers can use these problem categories to identify and reduce knowledge transfer barriers in their interaction with specialists.Type: journal articleJournal: Electronic Journal of Knowledge ManagementVolume: 5Issue: 3
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PublicationSeeing versus Arguing The Moderating Role of Collaborative Visualization in Team Knowledge IntegrationThis paper sheds light on the communicative process through which experts and decision makers integrate their domain specific knowledge in decision making situations and argues for the benefit of knowledge visualization. We present a second order model for knowledge integration that reflects the main communicative challenges of such interactions. These are: unequal participation, a lack of common ground, a lack of big picture, and an unconstructive handling of conflict. Presenting results from an experimental study, we show that supporting conversations with an interactive visualization tool moderates the relationships of these communicative challenges and knowledge integration. We find that in the supported condition, conversers rely more on the establishment of common ground and big picture and deal more constructively with conflict.Type: journal articleJournal: Journal of Universal Knowledge ManagementVolume: 1Issue: 3
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PublicationFacilitating Knowledge Communication through Joint Interactive VisualizationThis paper presents further research findings on the use of software-based, collaborative visual communication tools for the transfer and creation of professional knowledge in organizational decision making contexts. The paper begins by describing typical knowledge communication situations and summarizes dominating problems in these contexts. It then reports on the real-life experiences in using three visual knowledge communication tools, namely the OnTrack visual protocol tool, the Parameter Ruler application, and the Synergy Map. The application experiences with these tools in four companies show that they can reduce some of the discussed problems. Their main benefits are focus, coordination, documentation, consistency, accountability and traceability. Their major improvement areas are accessibility and flexibility. Implications for further research and for further tool developments are highlighted.Type: journal articleJournal: Journal of Universal Computer ScienceVolume: 10Issue: 6
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PublicationCaring for Clarity in Knowledge CommunicationKnowledge communication is an essential mechanism to facilitate intra- and interorganizational knowledge transfer. In order to improve the efficiency of knowledge communication, organizations need to pay particular attention to the clarity of conveyed knowledge in order not to create confusion, misunderstandings, or misapplication of knowledge. In this contribution, we show where and how the concept of clarity matters for knowledge management in general, and for knowledge communication in particular. We review and operationalize the clarity concept so that it can become the object of a systematic management effort. Furthermore, we show ways of how clarity can be pro-actively and systematically managed. We have tested our conception of clarity in a survey on clarity in knowledge-focused presentations, and we present the results in this paper.Type: conference paperJournal: Journal of Universal Computer ScienceVolume: Vol 17 Issue 5