Intranet and Organizational Learning

Abstract

In this article, we will analyze the cultural dimension of intranets as knowledge management tools within organizations. An intranet is an information communication technology (ICT) based upon Internet technology (http://www, TCP/IP). The intranet phenomenon was introduced in the early 1990s following the idea that it can integrate all the computers, software, and databases within a particular organization into a single system that enables employees to find and share all the information they need for their work (Bernard, 1997; Cortese, 1996). Intranets function as a computer-mediated communication (CMC) tool and are used as computing networks used for sharing organizational information. While Internet technology is leading, access is restricted exclusively to organizational members (by means of electronic firewalls). In a study to the role of intranets in strategic management decisions, Curry and Stancich (2000) define Intranets as “…private computing networks, internal to an organization, allowing access only to authorized users” (p. 250). The term private indicates that an intranet is a network that can be accessed only by members of a particular organization. The term network emphasizes the connection between computers that enables corporate communication. Intranets run on open but controlled networks that enable organization members to employ the same WWW servers and browsers, which are distributed over the local area network (LAN).