Info Pop 7
For this information pop, we were supposed to pick a pop-culture reference that illustrates or contradicts the following quote:
"As we roll out our knowledge system, we find we lack a culture that supports collaborative work because people view knowledge as a method of securing their job. So they're reluctant to share. The culture is a huge problem."
Is it a good idea to risk putting yourself out of a job? Is it better to help the company, or to help ensure your children have food on their plates? Is self-preservation in the workplace culture, or human nature?
Personally, I believe it's human nature. But I also believe individuals can be trained to ignore self-preservation. For instance, military forces around the world successfully inculcate a belief of country before self.
I'm sure many companies would love to instill a company-first culture of sharing, but if someone's job is at risk - I doubt I'd blame them if they chose not to share. In the end, I think collaboration works best when two individuals are working for a common goal. If one individual's goal of a job is threatened, then the collaboration will falter.
In any event, I believe this video from Terry Gilliam's Brazil epitomizes many work place cultures:
In it, all the employees at the Ministry of Information are industrious and hard-working - while the boss is looking at least.
"As we roll out our knowledge system, we find we lack a culture that supports collaborative work because people view knowledge as a method of securing their job. So they're reluctant to share. The culture is a huge problem."
Is it a good idea to risk putting yourself out of a job? Is it better to help the company, or to help ensure your children have food on their plates? Is self-preservation in the workplace culture, or human nature?
Personally, I believe it's human nature. But I also believe individuals can be trained to ignore self-preservation. For instance, military forces around the world successfully inculcate a belief of country before self.
I'm sure many companies would love to instill a company-first culture of sharing, but if someone's job is at risk - I doubt I'd blame them if they chose not to share. In the end, I think collaboration works best when two individuals are working for a common goal. If one individual's goal of a job is threatened, then the collaboration will falter.
In any event, I believe this video from Terry Gilliam's Brazil epitomizes many work place cultures:
Click to viewIn it, all the employees at the Ministry of Information are industrious and hard-working - while the boss is looking at least.