Abstract
This paper focuses on the collaborative working techniques in a ‘brownfield’ business environment within the oil & gas production support industry, based on experience gained from the introduction of a formal knowledge management programme within Production Services Network.
It describes the behavioural changes in the organization and the way the people within it respond to evolving collaborative technologies. It addresses the question, "How do we enable people to work in new ways in our new business model"
The paper explores the internal and external factors affecting how knowledge is shared and techniques which foster collaboration on a global scale, where people collaborating may well be in different continents and time zones. Demographic issues and the related subject of transfer of experience and know-how are discussed, as are the techniques to develop collaboration on an asynchronous basis and amongst people who don't know each other.
Probably most accurately categorised as being a ‘People, Process and Organizational Change’ topic, the paper offers some suggestions on how to apply knowledge sharing techniques in strategically important areas of activity, some of which are peculiar to the oil & gas production support industry, and application of tried techniques from un-related industries. The balance between networking, rather than outsourcing, is discussed and the introduction of new work methods explored.
Some of the results will include previously unpublished examples of collaborative dialogues together with analyses of what interaction is actually taking place. It is intended that these will inform those interested in directing changes in attitudes about sharing amongst people. There is little published in this topic related to the brownfield sector of this industry.
