Successful knowledge sharing in virtual projects : a review of an EU FP7 project

This article focuses on the motivations, enablers and barriers to successful participation in EU FP7 projects. It captures the use of portals for partner search, use of SKYPE for virtual meetings and the role that technology-enhanced knowledge sharing plays in the initiation, implementation and successful closure of projects. Case phenomena is explained in terms of socio-technical theories of knowledge sharing such as use and gratification theory; social exchange theory; bond theory; identity theory however; we need to incorporate individual user characteristics, expertise in tool use, and characteristics of the information systems success model and co-opetition theory to adequately describe the phenomena witnessed. We also conclude that applicable theory is lifecycle dependent. The practical value of this paper is that it describes knowledge sharing from a real and recent case. Reflective practice, in an EU context is rare and as such the case is both informative for the development of collaborative innovation and knowledge sharing theory but also practical for those considering the same path.