How an Intranet Provides Opportunities for Learning Organizational Culture

Abstract

The Problem Organizational culture is a central part of defining virtual human resource development (VHRD), yet little empirical research has uncovered the relationship between culture and intranets. Intranets constitute the webbed environment that enables VHRD, and much can be learned from studying an intranet used strategically for an organization. Specifically, the problem addressed in this article was the question, how does an intranet provide opportunities for learning organizational culture? The Solution Case research in a hospital setting explored the problem and found four themes for how an intranet enabled participants to learn and experience the larger culture. A primary conclusion of the study was that an intranet can convey and renew organizational culture when members interact and experience organizational values in action. Implications for human resource development (HRD) professionals include addressing the design and development of organizational systems to support cultural messages that are congruent with organizational objectives and to consider how intranets can support informal learning and community building necessary for VHRD. The Stakeholders Stakeholders for this article include HRD professionals who help implement new technology and use technical applications to support practice, leaders who oversee virtual work, and scholars who aim to further research and theory in VHRD.