KM versus enterprise 2.0: a framework to tame the clash

Traditional knowledge management has been characterised by a primarily top down approach. However, this approach is starting to be too far from people expectations. Web 2.0 technologies are changing the way people are communicating and collaborating, offering a more flexible virtual environment. The adoption of these technologies inside a company is called enterprise 2.0. This research explores the background to the traditional knowledge management approach and describes the strategic potentialities and the conceptual roots of enterprise 2.0. In particular, the aim of this paper is to tame the sceptical position by demonstrating the benefits of social technologies, the major component of enterprise 2.0. Through an empirical study, this paper presents a bottom up framework to highlight new technology potentialities and understand how supporting current users’ needs. Finally, building up both theoretical analysis and empirical study through a pilot project, the paper provides guidelines to help management to adopt enterprise 2.0.