Tapping Diverse Experiences: Toward Articulating Knowledge Creation Theory

Tapping diverse experiences is recognised as important for knowledge creation. The authors examine how learning and knowledge creation are affected if a distinction between the extent and nature of employees' involvement, and differences in levels within these, is made. They offer propositions suggesting that the extent and nature of employees involvement differ in their relative contribution to different facets of knowledge creation, including shared understanding, know-why, knowledge creating behaviours and new product creativity. Finally, the authors discuss theoretical implications, future research directions and limitations of this research.