SkiBaserl - Knowledge Management in High Performance Sports

In this paper we describe an innovative approach to foster knowledge management in high performance sports. We report on a project whose main challenges were the complexity of knowledge, also including sticky and tacit knowledge, and the heterogeneity of users with a large share of people who are less affine to IT solutions. Using a systematic innovation procedure a socio-technical solution was developed that especially took care of at first glance non technical requirements like "joy of use", complemented by the realization of serendipity to support a continuous use of platform and social get-togethers. As a result a novel system was created that enjoys successful applications both in serving as the overall database for alpine skiers in Germany, and in the interpersonal support of social and motivational factors as prerequisites for the future success of athletes. (C) 2009 Published by Elsevier Ltd.