Learning to Be Situated: a Theory of Portable Integration Expertise and Its Implications for Process Knowledge Management and Organizational Flexibility

I develop theory about two kinds of individual level integration expertise, portable and local. I discuss the implications of the difference between these kinds of expertise for the management of knowledge in complex integrative processes, and for the development of organizational flexibility. I define portable integration expertise as re-deployable from problem to problem, even though the problems are different, while local expertise is bound to the problem where it develops. I examine the use of high involvement interpersonal integration mechanisms in relation to the development of both kinds of integration expertise. I argue that organizations can manage the development, retention and diffusion of portable integration expertise by adopting a set of management practices that extend beyond the normal information systems base of knowledge management. Paul F. Skilton, 486C DeVos Center, 401 W. Fulton St., Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids, MI 49504-6431, Voice (616) 336-7441, Fax (616) 336-7445, [email protected]