Groupware architecture for R&D managers

Abstract

The business environment is changing at an accelerated pace. Contemporary business systems are becoming more knowledge intensive. This is particularly evident in areas such as product innovation where knowledge centric activities are becoming the primary source of sustainable competitive advantage. Consequently, progressive organisations are collaborating with others in order to develop the linkages they require to access and leverage new knowledge and skills for successful product innovation. In this paper the authors surveyed senior R&D managers from Irish organisations in an attempt to ascertain what the key implications of this new knowledge focused networked environment are for their organisations. The findings revealed that effective communication, collaboration and co-ordination structures are imperative for success. A groupware architecture was then developed to support the co-ordination of members in a networked R&D environment. Critical elements of the require attention. In this view, it serves as a checklist for effective knowledge management.