Experiences on the efficiency index method in assessing the performance of knowledge dissemination in a business environment

Accessibility of knowledge is of crucial importance to the success of modern businesses. Face-to-face discussions and other traditional communication methods need to be enhanced by computer-based tools to meet the requirements of the present business environment. Objective analysis is necessary to make adoption of these tools reasonable. This paper suggests a model for the engineering knowledge dissemination process in today's telecommunication business. It is based on a set of characteristic attributes of the process which are used to derive a numerical efficiency index expressing the disseminating performance. Validity of the method was then tested by several pilots carried out in Nokia Telecommunications' business environment. Substantial improvement of knowledge dissemination was indicated by the results collected. Based on the experiences obtained, a new knowledge dissemination infrastructure is introduced and its global implementation described. The ultimate goal of the system is to provide an easy access to knowledge to all the employees with minimum effort and delay.