Enterprise Information Portal Implementation

Abstract

This case study provides a detailed account of the formation of a knowledge management (KM) division within a multinational pharmaceutical company, and the subsequent undertaking of the first major KM project, which involved the implementation of a portal software technology. Specific issues discussed include rationale for replacing the existing intranet with portal technology, selection of the portal, justification for this selection, challenges in organizing and linking documents, as well as the social and behavioral factors influencing the implementation. A number of dilemmas and tradeoffs are presented with respect to each of the issues.