How cultural norms might help or hinder CoP facilitation in Singapore > Forum Main> Facilitating HR CoP Workshops > How cultural norms might help ...

A key element of the HR CoP design is the sharing of knowledge and experience among the members of the CoPs in Singapore.  As I am getting prepared to lead the facilitation training for this project, one of the things that I am aware of is the difference in culture between the U.S. and Singapore.  In searching the web for a better understanding of how CoP members might respond to difference components of the CoP process design, I have found the following presentation:

"Knowledge sharing practices in Asian institutions: a multi-cultural perspective from Singapore" by Abdus Sattar Chaudhry, Division of Information Studies, School of Communication and Information, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore,  aschaudhry@ntu.edu.sg

Abstract:  Research studies on knowledge sharing carried out in Singapore during the last five years are reviewed and special features of knowledge sharingpractices in Asian institutions are discussed. Cultural traditions had positive and negative effect on knowledge sharing practices in the multi-ethnic and diverse society of Singapore. Understanding of these factors is important for information institutions and education providers to support knowledge management initiatives.

Factors that are identified in this presentation relevant to facilitating the HR CoPs include: Enthusiasm for KM; cultural conflicts; Kiasuism; and rewards and incentives.

You can find this presentation on the web at: archive.ifla.org/IV/ifla71/papers/066e-Chaudhry.pdf

I am sure that we will address some of these issues in the facilitation training program in late March.