Organisational Memory Systems: Application of Advanced Database & Network Technologies in Organisations

This paper deals with Organisational Memory Systems (OMS) which are seen as a new kind of information systems. OMS result from the application of advanced database and network technologies to support Organisational Memory concepts and approaches. First, the notion of OMS, the origin of these systems, their theoretical background and the evolution of data base use are described. Then Intranet technologies in a broad sense are classified and taken as examples to show how Organisational Memory approaches could be supported by information and communication technologies already available. A model of organisational information processing (OIP model) is presented. The OIP model integrates Organisational Learning and Organisational Memory approaches and contains a set of processes. With the help of this model Intranet technologies are evaluated according to their possible contribution to these processes. It is suggested to take Organisational Memory concepts as a vision for the future development of corporate Intranets.