Web 2.0 Knowledge Technologies and the Enterprise

Citation

Taylor, C. (2011), "Web 2.0 Knowledge Technologies and the Enterprise", Library Review, Vol. 60 No. 2, pp. 168-169. https://doi.org/10.1108/00242531111113140

A lot of books have been written recently about the wonders and potential of Web 2.0, ranging from the hyperbolic evangelising best‐selling paperback to dense technically focused text books. Many of these new texts offer fascinating explorations of this rapidly developing “hot topic” for those who have a keen interest in technology and/or the implications it has for society, yet very few offer any real value to the people who potentially have the most to gain from the new technological paradigm – i.e. business managers. Paul Jackson's Web 2.0 Knowledge Technologies and the Enterprise is a worthy attempt at redressing the balance, with the specific aim of filling “the gap between strategy and technology by focussing upon the functional capabilities of Web 2.0 in corporate environments”. To a large extent, the book is successful in achieving its principle objectives, with many relevant issues explored and analysed within a clear organisational context.

After a useful brief introduction, Web 2.0 Knowledge Technologies and the Enterprise begins with a detailed overview of Web 2.0 tools and standards. Although the discussion here is pretty standard in its basic descriptive approach, it is, like the book overall, well written and the examples that are used are useful and up‐to date. It is in the book's second chapter where things begin to get more interesting as the focus sharpens to explore a wide range of issues that can be seen as business drivers towards Web 2.0 implementation. The concept behind this analysis is sound and many of the themes explored, such as the effect of network dynamics on organisational intelligence and decision making, and the corporate mobilisation of knowledge assets, serve the book's overarching aim well. However, at times, this section attempts to cover issues that are arguably too complex for the scope of this text (e.g. globalisation and generational change) resulting in reductive analyses that detract from the persuasive power of the chapters' key arguments. Furthermore, the inclusion of such wide ranging issues means a number of interesting and pertinent issues such as the fragmentation of business process and the growth of dynamic business models are merely commented on rather than meaningfully analysed.

Following on from this contextual analysis, there are two inter‐related chapters that are central to the book's core hypotheses and proposed methodological approach. Using the somewhat conceptual notions of space and flows, these core chapters define in detail a model of interaction (between organisations and Web 2.0) that is both thought‐provoking and practical. The strength of this discussion lies in its use of multi‐disciplinary references (from Foucault's discourse on Power to Daniel M. Wergner's theories on Transactive Memory Systems), which facilities a much deeper analysis of the value of corporate Web 2.0 and organisational barriers to its implementation, than is usually provided in more pragmatic texts. What emerges from this analysis is a complex picture of the Web 2.0 world in which enterprises must first define their organisational needs and structure alongside an understanding of their knowledge structures, uses and behaviour before they commit to any Web 2.0 projects, if they are to be truly successful and valuable.

In the book's final chapters, readers are offered some practical models and advice that can be used to define and implement a range of Web 2.0 solutions and a detailed case study is also provided as an appendix to support the arguments and suggestions made.

In many ways, Web 2.0 Knowledge Technologies and the Enterprise is a success in respect of its stated aims; it addresses a real specific need from an interesting, multi‐disciplinary perspective. The use of both theory and practice to explore current issues and potential applications is a worthy approach that makes for an interesting read. However, its principle strength from my personal perspective might well be a significant weakness in the view of some key potential readers, as the level of theoretical analysis could be seen as excessive and even unnecessary (though arguably useful) to busy managers focused on practicalities and results. Having said this, for any manager who wants to understand the full potential value of Web 2.0 rather than just its basic capabilities, Web 2.0 Knowledge Technologies and the Enterprise is a recommended to read.