Sharing knowledge through effective team building: trust versus the information power dynamic

This paper contends that knowledge sharing and social learning in a project team is facilitated by an organisational culture and communication strategy based on trust, countering the notion that an individual's control of information bestows organisational power. These findings are based on a four-year research study into learning and knowledge management processes occurring in a number of headquarters within the Australian Defence Organisation (ADO). In particular, the paper focuses on teambuilding strategies that facilitate knowledge sharing and generation. The paper concludes by proposing a model of the role of trust in organisations.