Open space as a knowledge metaphor and a knowledge sharing intervention

This paper addresses the role of knowledge metaphors in knowledge sharing interventions. Open space can be treated as a specific technology for blending knowledge sources and as a broader knowledge metaphor that focuses on self-regulating knowledge processes. The paper outlines the experience of applying the open space technology in a large-scale civic society initiative, ‘My Estonia’, in 2009 and 2010. The study reveals contradictions between different meanings of open space in the knowledge sharing context. The validity of the mapping of the open space metaphor depends on the adjustment of the open space technology to the composition of the team. It can be increased by the freedom to initiate new think tanks in different locations, and thus link mental and physical open space activities. Encouraging mobility of participants and continuing think tank activities by applying virtual communication tools reflects a broader interpretation of the open space metaphor.