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Knowledge Sharing Through Social Networks

Authors:
Liaquat Hossain
Simon Reay Atkinson
Rolf Wigand
Sven Carlsson

Keywords: knowledge sharing; transfer systems; social networks; tie diversity; structural hole

Abstract:
We suggest that a lack of understanding of the social and human factors in the design process may lead to the failure of knowledge sharing or KS in most organizations. The basis for KS in organizations is embedded in participants’ action and experience. We propose that successful KS initiatives require (1) attention to communication patterns of individuals or groups working in different divisions of an organization and (2) the development of IT systems that support both strong and weak ties between participants. Specifically, a distinction between different network structures as they relate to the concept of structural holes is drawn for highlighting how types of network structures effect sharing of explicit and tacit knowledge. Additionally, strong and weak tie theories are applied to develop a framework for potential IT-based initiatives aimed at addressing structural holes of communication. A set of propositions is proposed with their implication for designing KS systems in organizations. This paper concludes that sociological perspective in achieving a balance between the different types of ties (i.e., strong and weak ties) could assist in the maintenance and ongoing creation of new knowledge without having the networks to be redundant.

Pages: 27 to 34

Copyright: Copyright (c) IARIA, 2012

Publication date: October 21, 2012

Published in: conference

ISSN: 2326-9294

ISBN: 978-1-61208-228-8

Location: Venice, Italy

Dates: from October 21, 2012 to October 26, 2012