Knowledge and information management in a solidarity economy nucleus: A case study

Abstract

In knowledge and information management, solidarity economy organisations appear to be under-explored, despite their economic importance in countries like Brazil, showing a literature gap regarding their sociocultural context, which has specific management practices and needs. For this research, a case study of the Multidisciplinary and Integrated Nucleus for Studies, Formation and Intervention in Solidarity Economy (NuMI-EcoSol) was conducted using a descriptive-exploratory qualitative approach, with direct observation, document analysis and semi-structured interviews. Twenty-five observation sessions, three documents and five interviews were analysed with a focus on knowledge and information flow, information policy, information culture and decision-making spaces. The results showed that the Nucleus is a knowledge intensive, multidisciplinary, dialogical and self-managed organisation. Its information culture and policy reflect solidarity economy characteristics that establish advantageous knowledge-creating dynamics for social innovation, mainly within networks, but it also faces challenges regarding knowledge loss and drain. Therefore, the organisation and its nature has particularities for knowledge use still not fully explored and comprehended. Competitive intelligence, structuration of self-managed repositories and mediation in networks are important actions to further promote knowledge use for social innovation. Lastly, suggestions are made for further research on aspects arising from this case study.