Information technology, knowledge creation and sharing: a study of the integrated public safety system in the board of criminal investigations in Santa Catarina

Abstract

The aim of this study is to analyze the role of information technology in the field of operation of public safety in the Brazilian state of Santa Catarina. More specifically, it was based on the following research problem: how does the use of information technology in the area of public safety influence the creation and sharing of knowledge in criminal investigations in the civilian police force, by means of police inquiry?  From a methodological point of view, the study was conducted using a qualitative approach, having the character of a case study. The data collection techniques included the use of questionnaires, semi-structured interviews and the analysis of documentation and physical artifacts. As far as the treatment and interpretation of the data is concerned, content analysis techniques were employed. The study showed that the use of information technology can provide actions which facilitate sharing, mainly of explicit knowledge, and which, as a result, characterize activities related to criminal investigation and the launching of police inquiries. These activities are lacking in strategies that provide the sharing of tacit knowledge and consequently the creation of knowledge. Moreover, it was found that the contribution of technology to knowledge creation and sharing in the criminal investigation process also depends on other variables of a contextual (e.g. institutional policies) and individual nature (e.g. resistance).