PRP: Artefact#3 Research

Today I have read Communication and innovation Implementation by L.A. Fidler and J.D. Johnson. This paper states one main reason for employee's not participating in knowledge management initiatives is due to their own inhibitions: their ideas are 'wrong', could be rejected or misused/exploited.

It suggests that a solution to this problem is in achieving good relationships which act as a social support network.

"Often, the capacity of interpersonal channels to provide social support and enhanced confidence in the outcomes of the innovation can be crucial in innovation implementation."

(L.A. Fidler and J.D. Johnson, 1984)

This is very true and I can draw on this from personal experience. People are more willing to divulge ideas to people they know and trust.

Another paper entitled Stimulating the Potential: Creative Performance and Communication in Innovation Teams by J Kratzer, R Leenders and JML Engelen states that although levels of communication can have a positive affect on team innovation; like most things too it has an optimum and:

"high frequency of communication (more than the necessary minimum) tends to decrease the creative performance of innovative teams"
(J Kratzer, R Leenders and JML Engelen, 2004)

They also suggest that for innovation to be at its peak in a team, all members need to have the same levels of knowledge.

"for each team member it is equally important to be provided with sufficient information."
(.ibid)

Taking into account all these points I am going to select two groups of people. The first: a group of acquaintances and the second: a group strangers. I will set them the same task were possible distractions could occur.

I will time and record both using a video camera. I won't be in the room either but close by to answer any questions and guidance if needed.

My aim is to see if the group of acquaintances get easily distracted or instead want to complete the task quickly so they can get it out of the way. I will also analyse the footage measuring levels of interaction.