Using Web 2.0 Tools to Support the Theoretical Constructs of Organisational Learning

The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of the concept of Web 2.0 and to review how three established Web 2.0 tools: blogs, wikis and online forums, can be applied in organisational contexts. In doing so, this paper identifies ways in which Web 2.0 tools can support some of the key theoretical constructs of organisational learning. Furthermore, this paper proposes how to advance this area of research as it has been acknowledged that there is a lack of empirical evidence to substantiate the view that Web 2.0 tools can support the process of organisational learning. A traditional literature review will be used to indicate the differences between three of the most established types of Web 2.0 technologies: blogs, wikis and online forums with a view to providing recommendations on how these practices can be adopted in organisational settings. The findings of the traditional literature review show that despite their being relative differences between blogs, wikis and online forums; they have the potential, dependent on their use, to support the concept of organisational learning. Though this paper provides an overview of how certain Web 2.0 tools can be applied in organisations it does not provide empirical evidence of Web 2.0 use within enterprises. This paper presents a general overview on blogs, wikis and online forums and their use in organisations to assist management practitioners who might be unfamiliar in their use on how to apply them internally in their organisations.