Management research is increasingly using fiction as an insightful way to analyze complex organizational dynamics. Focusing on user appropriation of Knowledge Management Systems, we describe how we used the popular Astérix, a well-known French cartoon to better understand KMS appropriation. We came to use this approach in an action research project in a large French construction firm initially designed to help Chief Knowledge Officers address KMS non-use. After our first findings showed paradoxical cultural issues, and based on the idea that culture is central to sensemaking and appropriation, we used the notion of the cultural metaphor to help better understand the cultural aspects associated with KMS appropriation. These results contribute knowledge in three different areas. First, we underline the role of cultural metaphors in information systems appropriation. Second, we enrich the literature on the role of fiction in management by illustrating the role of cultural metaphors. Third, we report on how this can be used in an action research project to help better understand KMS appropriation issues, which has the potential of leading to practical managerial action.

管理研究越来越多地使用虚构作为分析复杂组织动态的有见地的方法。专注于知识管理系统的用户挪用，我们描述了我们如何使用流行的 Astérix（一部著名的法国卡通片）来更好地理解 KMS 挪用。我们开始在一家法国大型建筑公司的行动研究项目中使用这种方法，最初旨在帮助首席知识官解决 KMS 不使用问题。在我们的第一个发现显示出矛盾的文化问题之后，基于文化是意义建构和挪用的核心这一观点，我们使用文化隐喻的概念来帮助更好地理解与 KMS 挪用相关的文化方面。这些结果贡献了三个不同领域的知识。第一的，我们强调文化隐喻在信息系统挪用中的作用。其次，我们通过说明文化隐喻的作用来丰富关于虚构在管理中的作用的文献。第三，我们报告了如何将其用于行动研究项目以帮助更好地理解 KMS 拨款问题，这有可能导致实际的管理行动。