On the interaction between humans and knowledge management systems: a framework of knowledge sharing catalysts

Admitting that knowledge workers and Knowledge Management Systems (KMSs) are valuable organizational assets whose interaction should be augmented, this paper presents a thorough exploration of incentives leading to the stimulation of knowledge sharing activities. Towards this end, we comment on a series of critical issues that affect the knowledge sharing behaviour of individuals. Considering previously discussed, but scattered or not clearly identified socio-cultural and technological factors that stimulate or impede knowledge sharing activities, this paper proposes a framework of incentives of positive and negative reinforcement that act as catalysts to the knowledge-sharing procedure. Adopting the social–technical systems theory, our approach builds on the joint consideration of the above factors to facilitate knowledge sharing in an organization's everyday practices. The proposed framework contributes to the surpassing of knowledge-sharing impediments and advocates enhanced human–computer interaction. It can be exploited towards both the cultivation of an organization's knowledge-sharing culture and the development of a KMS that helps an organization meet its business objectives.