Knowledge Management: About Knowledge Sharing

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Hu and Racherla state that, “a knowledge domain is a particular field of study that creates a common ground and a sense of the development of a common identity by affirming its purpose and value to members and stakeholders,” (302). The knowledge domain can be established through formal or informal networks. Indeed, such networks exist in all social institutions and organizations and create a platform upon which members can come together and share whatever knowledge they have.

The main focus of this paper is to annotate past studies that have been carried out on knowledge sharing through different networks including pre-university students, the hospitality field, and the human resource management profession. The major theme emanating from these studies is that social networks play a crucial role in the sharing and dissemination of knowledge among members.

Full reference of the article Hu, Cark, & Pradeep Racherla. ‘Visual representation of knowledge networks: A social network analysis of hospitality research domain,’ International Journal of Hospitality Management27 (2008): 302-312.
Type of article Research-based article
Aim/purpose of the article To assess and plot the system of partnership among scholars in the discipline of hospitality business research; to recognize major researchers according to their research hubs, and to show the significance of partnership among different researchers within the hospitality field.
Sample, data collection methods, and data analysis Four scholarly journals in the hospitality field were used as samples. The data collected from the sample involved information about their article title, names of authors, associations, publication date, journal name, keywords, and abstract. Descriptive analysis (frequency distribution) and the social network analytical software, Pajek, were then used to analyze the data.
Findings of research Using the theory of social network analysis, Hu and Racherla found that the acquisition of knowledge is affected by social structure because of the existence of cohesive sub-networks of scholars who share knowledge by co-authoring research studies (308).
Relationship of the article to Knowledge Management The article is related to knowledge management in the sense that it supports the fact that social networks help to spread knowledge which is important for the development of science. The findings support the study done by Carley (418) who also found that social networks influence the acquisition of knowledge.
Strengths of articles First, the study reveals numerous vital and interesting aspects of the hospitality research network. Second, the study is the first of its kind to study the evolution and development of social networks over time. Based on this fact, the study provides a platform on which other studies can be carried out to determine the growth and development of other different networks and to observe how such networks change with time.
Weaknesses of article The study does not consider the power, politics, and other social elements of social networks. In addition, the study ignores the softer elements of researcher networks such as interpersonal relations and informational channels of information exchange including workshops and symposiums.
Full reference of the article Jamaludin, Azilawati, Yam San Chee, & Caroline Mei Ho. ‘Fostering argumentative knowledge construction through enactive role play in Second Life.’ Computers & Education53 (2009): 317-329.
Type of article Research-based
Aim/purpose of the article To evaluate how knowledge is shared and constructed by pre-university students in the framework of a general paper using virtual characters.
Sample, data collection methods, and data analysis The sample consisted of 45 students from two different classrooms. Data were collected using enactment log transcripts. The quantitative data were analyzed using a macro quantitative analysis technique while the qualitative data were first coded and then analyzed through epistemic, argumentative, and social dimensions.
Findings of research Using the theory of argumentative construction, Jamaludin, Chee, and Ho found that students differ significantly in epistemic interactions, social interactions, and styles of argumentative moves (326). In addition, students cherish the personified experience provided by the virtual climate.
Relationship of the article to Knowledge Management and other articles The article is related to knowledge management in the sense that it discusses in great detail the pedagogical repercussions and the determining factors of the sharing and construction of argumentative knowledge. The findings support the work done by Jarvela and Hakkinen (91) who also found that virtual social networks affect members’ abilities to share knowledge.
Strength of articles The major strength is the use of open-ended questions to collect data which enabled the researchers to gain a deeper understanding of the problem under investigation.
Weaknesses of article The sample used was relatively small given the need for the collection of quantitative data. Small sample sizes increase the risk of sampling bias.
Full reference of the article Henneberg, Stephan, Juani Swart, Peter Naude, Zhizhong Jiang & Stefanos Mouzas. ‘Mobilizing ideas in knowledge networks: A social network analysis of the human resource management community 1990-2005.’ The Learning Organization16.6 (2009): 443-459.
Type of article Research-based
Aim/purpose of the article To portray the role of social networks in illustrating the impact of colleagues on the human resource personnel.
Sample, data collection methods, and data analysis The study collected data from co-authored journals in the field of HRM published between 1995 and 2005. Data from the journals were collected using social network analysis. Descriptive (frequency) analysis was used to analyze the collected data.
Findings of research Using the social network analysis framework, the study shows that the human resource management community has grown over time and that this group of academics is less intense than other academic communities.
Relationship of the article to K.M and other articles The article contributes to knowledge management by showing the impact of social networks on the behaviors of groups over a long period. The study, therefore, replicates other studies by Hu and Racherla (308) and Carley (418).
Strengths of articles The first strength deals with the duration of the collected data. (1995-2005) The use of data collected over a long timeframe increases the credibility of the study’s findings. Second, the analysis of data using social network analysis helps readers to understand how members of social networks interact with and influence each other. Third, the study also analyzes the growth over time of social networks in other academic fields.
Weakness of article The researchers do not indicate the sample size of the journals that have been examined in the study.
Full reference of the article Lin, Yu-Cheng, Lung-Chuang Wang, & Ping Tserng. ‘Enhancing knowledge exchange through web map-based knowledge management system in construction: Lessons learned in Taiwan.’ Automation in Construction,15 (2006): 693-705.
Type of article Research-based
Aim/purpose of the article To offer a new method to obtain and represent the construction of project knowledge through the use of network knowledge maps.
Sample, data collection methods, and data analysis The sample used in the study is a construction company having 6 high-tech factory building projects. A Map-based Knowledge Management system was then applied to the projects to assess their efficiency. Analysis was done through verification and validation tests.
Findings of research The study applies the Map-based Knowledge Management system framework to knowledge management systems in the construction industry through the utilization of map-based knowledge management and technologies.
Relationship of the article to K.M and other articles The study is related to knowledge management in the construction stage of construction projects by presenting a construction Map-based Knowledge Management (MBKM) notion. This study is one of its kind and therefore does not replicate any previously done study.
Strengths of articles The steps involved in the Map-based Knowledge Management system are fully explained and any reader can follow and understand the system.
Weaknesses of article The use of only one enterprise limits the application of the study’s findings to other enterprises due to differences in structures, systems, and technologies.
Full reference of the article Chow, Wing & Lai Sheung Chan. ‘Social network, social trust and shared goals in organizational knowledge sharing.’ Information & Management45 (2008): 458-465.
Type of article Research-based
Aim/purpose of the article To advance the development of the understanding of social capital in the knowledge sharing of organizations.
Sample, data collection methods, and data analysis The sample consisted of 190 managers from Hong Kong companies. Data were collected through questionnaires and later analyzed using the structural equation modeling technique.
Findings of research Using the social network analysis framework and the theory of reasoned action, the researchers found that social networks and common goals substantially influence individuals’ decision of knowledge-sharing and lead to the apparent social pressure of the firm.
Relationship of the article to K.M and other articles The article is related to Knowledge Management in the sense that it adds knowledge on the effect of social networks and common goals on knowledge-sharing. The study’s findings are similar to those done by Hu and Racherla (308) and Carley (418).
Strength of articles The first strength deals with the sample size used in the study. The sample used for the study is relatively large and therefore minimizes the possibility of sampling bias. Second, the study is the first of its kind to offer empirical proof concerning the impact of social networks, social trust, and common goals on the willingness of workers to share knowledge with their colleagues.
Weaknesses of article The study only analyzed three social capital elements. There is therefore the possibility that other social capital factors may affect the findings.

Conclusion

The role played by social networks in knowledge sharing was investigated in the annotated literature. The studies revealed that social networks provide opportunities for members to interact freely and share knowledge. This is irrespective of the type of network the members belong to, such as academic, professional, or even informal networks such as virtual networks. As Chow and Chan state, “social networks and shared goals significantly increase individuals’ willingness of knowledge-sharing,” (462). One of the greatest strengths of the majority of these studies is that they are the first of their kind to examine the phenomenon. The studies, therefore, provide a platform upon which other studies can be done using social networks in different organizations and institutions.

Works Cited

Carley, K. ‘Knowledge acquisition as a social phenomenon.’ Instructional Science 14.3/4 (1986): 381-438.

Chow, Wing & Lai Sheung Chan. ‘Social network, social trust and shared goals in organizational knowledge sharing.’ Information & Management 45 (2008): 458-465.

Henneberg, Stephan, Juani Swart, Peter Naude, Zhizhong Jiang & Stefanos Mouzas. ‘Mobilizing ideas in knowledge networks: A social network analysis of the human resource management community 1990-2005.’ The Learning Organization 16.6 (2009): 443-459.

Hu, Cark, & Pradeep Racherla. ‘Visual representation of knowledge networks: A social network analysis of hospitality research domain,’ International Journal of Hospitality Management, 27 (2008): 302-312.

Jarvela, S & Hakkinen, P. ‘The levels of web-based communication.’ Cognition in a Digital World 2 (2002): 77-95.

Jamaludin, Azilawati, Yam San Chee, & Caroline Mei Ho. ‘Fostering argumentative knowledge construction through enactive role play in Second Life.’ Computers & Education, 53 (2009): 317-329.

Lin, Yu-Cheng, Lung-Chuang Wang, & Ping Tserng. ‘Enhancing knowledge exchange through web map-based knowledge management system in construction: Lessons learned in Taiwan.’ Automation in Construction, 15 (2006): 693-705.

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