A user's perspective on implementing sharepoint for knowledge-sharing and collaboration in retail

Sithembiso Khumalo, Martie Mearns

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

The implementation of web-based application has increased within various organisation, enabling businesses to improve their productivity through enhanced collaboration, knowledge sharing and business information workflow. However, many users of these applications such as SharePoint still lack the ability to fully utilise them due to inadequate training and poor needs analysis exercised by their organisations. The objective of the study was to determine if the implementation of SharePoint within a retailer met the users' needs in terms of knowledge sharing, collaboration and content management. As a result it would help determine the manner in which the platform should be enhanced to best suit the users' needs within the entire retailer. The constructivism nature of this research prompted the use of a qualitative approach, were interview schedules were used to collect data from ten SharePoint users and two developers within a retailer. The evaluation strategy was employed in order to evaluate if the users' needs of SharePoint within a retailer were met. Data collected was analysed through descriptive content analysis, with the use of Atlas.ti to support the analysis and interpretation of the data. The findings indicated that users were not getting sufficient training on the untapped capability of SharePoint. Those who got the training were able to be more productive in executing the projects and improve their collaboration through sharing business project reports. Findings further indicated that there was poor needs analysis before the platform was implemented, which resulted in other users not fully utilising the platform for knowledge sharing, collaboration and content management. Future research is required to evaluate the needs and specific training requirements of users of SharePoint within the retailer and improve the application of knowledge sharing and content management through SharePoint. Findings further indicated that the need exist to put revised policies and regulations in place in order to secure and protect the knowledge managed within the platform.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 20th European Conference on Knowledge Management, ECKM 2019
EditorsEduardo Tome, Francisco Cesario, Raquel Reis Soares
PublisherAcademic Conferences Limited
Pages629-637
Number of pages9
ISBN (Electronic)9781912764327
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2019
Event20th European Conference on Knowledge Management, ECKM 2019 - Lisbon, Portugal
Duration: 5 Sept 20196 Sept 2019

Publication series

NameProceedings of the European Conference on Knowledge Management, ECKM
Volume1
ISSN (Print)2048-8963
ISSN (Electronic)2048-8971

Conference

Conference20th European Conference on Knowledge Management, ECKM 2019
Country/TerritoryPortugal
CityLisbon
Period5/09/196/09/19

Keywords

  • Collaboration
  • Content management
  • Knowledge sharing
  • Project
  • Retailer
  • SharePoint

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Information Systems and Management
  • Management Science and Operations Research

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