Document Type

Dissertation

Rights

This item is available under a Creative Commons License for non-commercial use only

Disciplines

Computer Sciences, Information Science

Abstract

The 21st century opened a new era in communications bringing in faster, more efficient and more advanced information and communication technologies than ever. New ideas and innovations, as well as interactions and collaborations determine the landscape of knowledge and consequently add new requirements to the know-how. The creators of knowledge and design add new communication architecture bodies through the use of technology.

Meanwhile knowledge management inspires 21st century enterprises to adopt new learning patterns throughout organisations and adopt new ideas. However, internal sharing mechanisms leverage a trusted environment where people can engage freely and securely in sharing knowledge and feel involved in the process of change. Sharing knowledge constitutes an endorsement for personal opinions, views and new ideas. Making this knowledge available to others using multiple techniques constitutes

a key element which initiates an internal process and leverages organisational learning.

Knowledge management constitutes a powerful instrument through which organisations can evolve.

The Open Coffee phenomenon is just one of the many informal self-organising events meant to bring together communities of professionals which have emerged in recent years. At the moment, Open Coffee meet-ups are organised in 83 locations worldwide.

The purpose is to allow entrepreneurs, professionals and venture capitalists to connect.

The success and growth of the Open Coffee phenomenon seems to be based on the informal nature of knowledge exchange, on the adaptable format and the open and welcoming environment created by attendees. During the Open Coffee meetings attendees freely contribute to the discussions and serendipitous interactions are stimulated, creating learning and sharing opportunities for everyone. This project examines the scope and examines key elements of knowledge creation, sharing and exchange observed in the meetings of the Dublin Open Coffee club, as well as the usage of emergent technologies such Web 2.0 technologies for facilitating knowledge exchange in these informal meetings. The particular focus of the project is knowledge creation, sharing and transfer which occur when participants make connections and how technologies can be used in this context. In the light of the informality of Open Coffee meetings and of knowledge propagation among Open Coffee participants, this project provides an insight into the activity of informal learning ad-hoc organisations based on openness and trust.

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