Strategic Knowledge Management in Matrix Multinational Organizations

Abstract

This chapter looks at managing knowledge workers within the business environment of a matrix-organized multinational organization, using oil and gas contractor Production Services Network (PSN) for illustration. It looks at the influence of business needs and human, organizational culture and strategic factors on KM; the importance of communicating business drivers; adverse demographics, and outlines some future trends that managers and KM staff in multinational matrix organizations should be preparing for. It is hoped that discussing examples of KM in practice, within the context of globalization, demographic changes, and rapid developments in technology, markets and business relationships will ground some familiar theory in some new and evolving territory, providing interest to both academics and practitioners.