Creativity and rationalization in using company intranets.

Many big firms have developed intranets in association with introducing new ways of organizing work and managing know-how. This study of France Teleco m's intranet brings to light two contrasting types of productivity in the s ocial and organizational uses to which this new technology has been put: cr eativity and rationalization. The links between these two types are analyze d through the publication/consultation of intranet sites and the frequency of participation in discussion forums. Light is shed on the synergy and com promises between these two types and on a series of tensions that mark the uses and rationales whereby persons adopt intranet. (C) 2001 Editions scien tifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.