The carriage of tradition: Knowledge and its past in network contexts

In this article we address a key tension in the literature. That is, whether the knowledge status of a tradition is largely preserved passively, under tradition’s own authority, or alternatively preserved through deliberate, individual interpretive acts.Through empirical research in three network co...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Management learning 2011-02, Vol.42 (1), p.7-24
Main Authors: Hibbert, Paul, Huxham, Chris
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Authority
Empirical research
Enactment
Knowledge
Knowledge management
Learning
Managers
Networks
Organization theory
Organizational learning
Preservation
Studies
Tradition
Traditions
Training
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Summary:In this article we address a key tension in the literature. That is, whether the knowledge status of a tradition is largely preserved passively, under tradition’s own authority, or alternatively preserved through deliberate, individual interpretive acts.Through empirical research in three network contexts, we show that both authority and interpretation have a role in the preservation of traditionalized knowledge and that three distinct modes of carriage (or preservation) can be observed. These modes involve different intent orientations (purposive or passive intentions about the use of traditionalized knowledge) and enactment styles, which may be either assertive (deliberately persuasive) or assumptive (‘rightness’ is assumed, not argued). From these theoretical extensions, implications for tradition theory, as well as knowledge, learning and understanding for managers involved in networks, are developed.
ISSN:1350-5076
1461-7307
DOI:10.1177/1350507610382488