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92 MANAGING KNOWLEDGE WORK AND INNOVATION

Table 4.1 Summary of the advantages and disadvantages of collaborative work
Advantages Disadvantages

Potential for synergistic solution that integrates Knowledge boundaries can restrict knowledge
knowledge in new ways sharing
Increased pool of knowledge to draw upon Conformity can stifl e knowledge sharing
Increased acceptance and commitment of the Groupthink can override individual judgement
selected decision
Wider range of perspectives taken into Group polarization can lead to overly risky
consideration decisions
Novice team members can learn from more Diffusion of responsibility leads individuals to
experienced team members avoid feeling responsible
Greater understanding of the rationale of the Satisfi cing so that the decision is acceptable
selected decision rather than optimum
Learning opportunities are enhanced by learning Peer surveillance exerts normalizing control that
from colleagues in different departments stifl es creativity and innovation

members (Hackman, 1990), as demonstrated by the groupthink phenomenon.
West et al. (1998) provide a useful review of the advantages and disadvantages of
team-working. Drawing on this work, Table 4.1 provides a summary of some of
the most important advantages and disadvantages of collaborative work.

>> COLLABORATION AND INTEGRATION MECHANISMS
Grandori and Soda (1995), recognizing this problem of achieving collaboration,
identify a number of what they describe as integration mechanisms that, they argue,
can encourage cooperation. They list ten such mechanisms and suggest that in
teams or networks where the objective is the joint production of knowledge, all ten
mechanisms need to be employed. These mechanisms include access to communi-
cation channels, social coordination through agreed norms, providing individuals
with particular role and responsibilities for linking individuals together, assigning
authority and control to particular individuals, careful selection of individuals to
ensure an appropriate mix of skills and expertise, and utilizing incentive systems.
More generally, there is a whole literature, and accompanying practice, that
deals with project management. This literature stresses the importance of using
formal project management methodologies that supposedly help to ensure that
those involved work effectively together and share their knowledge as appropri-
ate. Formal project management methodologies focus on:
1. Defining a clear and explicit vision, with associated goals and objectives;
2. Defining and following a formally defined project plan that sets out milestones
and defines roles and responsibilities for all those involved;
3. Ensuring that necessary resources are available and allocated as necessary.

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