Social Brokerage behind Knowledge Sharing

This study explored the implicit brokerage positions of social network behind knowledge sharing and demonstrated applicability to researches of community of practices. A concept of knowledge brokerage was proposed on the basis of the theory of social brokerage, and hypotheses were developed to verify the relational properties of brokerage opportunities. Social network analysis (SNA) was applied to conduct the egocentric network surveys and related analyses. Several new ways of evaluating the performance of knowledge sharing have been developed. The results verified the usability of brokerage as indicators of knowledge sharing. The results also can reveal efficiencies and deficiencies in knowledge dissemination among members of communities. These findings hold relevance for studies on the information technology practices of other professionals.

[1]  Etienne Wenger,et al.  Situated Learning: Legitimate Peripheral Participation , 1991 .

[2]  Alain Degenne,et al.  Introducing Social Networks , 1999 .

[3]  M. Eraut,et al.  Factors influencing the transfer of good practice , 2005 .

[4]  Roger V. Gould,et al.  A Dilemma of State Power: Brokerage and Influence in the National Health Policy Domain , 1994, American Journal of Sociology.

[5]  E. Wenger.  Communities of Practice: Learning, Meaning, and Identity , 1998 .

[6]  Peter V. Marsden,et al.  Social Resources and Mobility Outcomes: A Replication and Extension , 1988 .

[7]  Gina Lai,et al.  The tie effect on information dissemination: the spread of a commercial rumor in Hong Kong , 2002, Soc. Networks.

[8]  Michael Stefanone,et al.  Emergent networks, locus of control, and the pursuit of social capital , 2004, CSCW.

[9]  S. Barley.  Technicians in the Workplace: Ethnographic Evidence for Bringing Work into Organizational Studies , 1996 .

[10]  Kazimierz Kowalski,et al.  The role of local authorities in the integration of ICT in learning , 2002, J. Comput. Assist. Learn..

[11]  N. Lin.  Social Capital: Frontmatter , 2001 .

[12]  Etienne Wenger,et al.  Communities of Practice: Learning, Meaning, and Identity , 1998 .

[13]  E. Barozet,et al.  Social Capital. A Theory of Social Structure and Action , 2002 .

[14]  Stanley Wasserman,et al.  Social Network Analysis: Methods and Applications , 1994, Structural analysis in the social sciences.

[15]  Ronald E. Rice,et al.  Information seeking in social context: structural influences and receipt of information benefits , 2001, IEEE Trans. Syst. Man Cybern. Part C.

[16]  Catherine Balagtas,et al.  Getting that job. , 2012, Nursing standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987).

[17]  Steven B. Andrews,et al.  Structural Holes: The Social Structure of Competition , 1995, The SAGE Encyclopedia of Research Design.

[18]  John Scott.  Social Network Analysis , 1988 .

[19]  Melissa Evans-Andris,et al.  Barrier to Computer Integration: Microinteraction among Computer Coordinators and Classroom Teachers in Elementary Schools. , 1995 .

[20]  L. J. Lesisko,et al.  Hiring the Best Qualified Technology Coordinator: A Pennsylvania Perspective. , 2005 .

[21]  N. Lin,et al.  Social Resources and Strength of Ties: Structural Factors in Occupational Status Attainment , 1981, Social Capital, Social Support and Stratification.

[22]  Ronald E. Anderson,et al.  Quality Technology Support: What is it? Who Has it? and What Difference Does it Make? , 2002 .

[23]  Jonathon N. Cummings,et al.  Tie and Network Correlates of Individual Performance in Knowledge-Intensive Work , 2004 .

[24]  J. Mitchell,et al.  The Concept and Use of Social Networks , 1969 .

[25]  A. P. Perspective.  Hiring the Best Qualified Technology Coordinator , 2005 .

[26]  William Snyder,et al.  Cultivating Communities of Practice: A Guide to Managing Knowledge , 2002 .

[27]  Nan Lin,et al.  SOCIAL NETWORKS AND STATUS ATTAINMENT , 1999 .