This study seeks to investigate the role of information technology in the creation and sharing of tacit knowledge. To focus the research, the study will be conducted in new product development teams that work on high-tech products. In this environment the pressure to be innovative is high, and relevant knowledge quickly becomes outdated, leading to a strong need for knowledge creation. Because of this need it is expected that the teams will have advanced knowledge creation practices. Better knowledge creation results in better new product development.
Information technology can limit the flexibility of the relationships between team members.
In the study a questionnaire is being administered to all members of two new product development teams in two companies in the USA, Finland, and Sweden, for a total of six companies and twelve teams. The survey yields data on 1. Knowledge and information transfer between groups. The data will be analyzed through factor analysis, analysis of variance and regression analyses. As part of the data analysis follow-up interviews will be conducted to clarify and discuss findings.