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Collective expertise: Ways of organizing expert work in collective settings

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 February 2015

Niina Koivunen
Niina Koivunen*
Affiliation:
Department of Management, University of Vaasa, Vaasa, Finland
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Abstract

Two gaps appear in the theory of ‘expertise’: expert work as an individual endeavor; and, researchers and managers understanding little of expert practice. To bridge these gaps, ‘collective expertise’ can describe ways of organizing professional expert work in collective settings. This study analyzes ‘collective expertise’ in three Scandinavian cases using ethnographic methods: a product development process at Volvo; a description of computer programmers' work; and an analysis of nano physicists' organizing practices. The empirical results are used to build a ‘collective expertise’ theory, based on seven factors identified as contributing to collective expertise: concrete work routines, minimal structure, generosity and gift giving, narratives and story-telling, aesthetic capabilities, room for individuality, and mixed practice zone.

Keywords

collective expertiseknowledge managementways of organizingcommunities of practiceaction netsethnographyScandinavia
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Management & Organization , Volume 15 , Issue 2 , May 2009 , pp. 258 - 276
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press and Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management 2009

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