Janine argues we are all knowledge animals, looking for food (information) within our (knowledge) territory. She uses the metaphor to explain why we share knowlege or not. And, knowledge animals are selfish, lazy and proud (ouf) and have an enormous drive to survive.
Selfish, lazy, proud, it doesn't sound very positive. And I wouldn't call myself nor my colleagues lazy, knowledge work is sometimes hard work though invisible, as is describe by Jim McGee. Leaving traces is then necessary when it comes to making your work visible, which is neccessary for reaching performance indicators! And thus survive in the company.
When I worked at the university I could feeld the protection of territories, more than at my current work environment. I hated this, what I called "fight on the square milimeter", when you see your colleages as competitors. It probably depends on the environment, the culture, how clear these territories are.
Hmm, I should think about this more clearly (later)....
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