Template:Trust

Trust plays an important role in the sharing and use of knowledge. If people believe they will benefit from sharing their knowledge — either directly or indirectly — they are more likely to share. The use to which people put the knowledge of others often depends on whether they know and trust the source of the knowledge. For example, people are more likely to believe and use the equation e = mc2 knowing that it came from a renowned physicist rather than from a newly employed intern. This is an example of why KM efforts that focus primarily on technology are not always sufficient. Studies show that, more frequently than not, people will contact someone they know before they search the corporate database or data warehouse [5]. Technology is an important enabler to the success of KM. But people make or break it.