Knowledge Management in Virtual Teams

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis is to gain a better understanding of how organizations with entirely knowledge-based services are using Knowledge Management (KM) in virtual teams. The research explores, describes and begins to explain how knowledge is managed, how KM strategies are used and what the ':;ritical success factors in virtual teams are. In this quest for answers, I have conducted a multiple-case study with three organizations and the findings show that managing KM in virtual teams depends on both internal and external knowledge sharing and interaction. The findings concerning the KM strategy indicated that organizations should appoint a specified position for handling the knowledge flow. Finally, the critical success factors in virtual teams showed strong influence from stress related levels together with the ability to allow internal and external knowledge sharing.