Conversation, Organisation and Identity

This paper focuses on knowledge work in a rehabilitation department at a hospital. We aim at examining the characteristics of this knowledge context and elaborate the conditions for knowledge creation and sharing. We argue that in spite of good intentions, participation in knowledge work is not freely given. New knowledge contexts must take into account how knowledge claims are made, by whom, and how the knowledge workers see themselves as professionals. We accordingly set out to discuss how knowledge work is organized, the conversational processes and the identity of the participants. We conclude that it is not enough to formally establish new ways of work. More efforts are called for that ensures conversation between the participants as well as taking into account and utilize the potential reshaped identity of the individuals.