Three usage drivers for corporate wikis

I couldn't resist posting one more nugget from the IBM paper I just referenced. The researchers point out three primary usage drivers for corporate wikis, at least in IBM's experience:

By summarizing interview transcripts and considering users’ value and benefit statements, three main themes of user motivations emerged. Beyond the desire to share with colleagues on a personal level, which we anticipated would be a primary value for most Beehive users, we identified two additional motivations: career advancement and the ability to convince others to support ideas and projects.

Employees use Beehive to present themselves professionally and to network with those they believe can assist them in their career goals within IBM. And those looking to promote a project or idea use the site’s features to advertise and gather support from other users for their plans.

I hope our own excursion into the world of corporate wikis can help shine the light on some promising ideas within our own wiki world. As the economy contracts, there's no time like the present to find those 'diamonds in the rough' (aka revenue-generating ideas) and bring them to the surface. The idea is that the wiki will become a creative space, a marketplace of ideas, where merit will win out in the end.