Tjip de Jong Msc. University of Twente, The Netherlands [email protected]
Paper to be presented at the XXVII International Sunbelt Social Network Conference Corfu, Greece
May 1-6, 2007
SOCIAL NETWORKS, SOCIAL CAPITAL AND
KNOWLEDGE PRODUCTIVITY
Tjip de Jong MSc (University of Twente) Phd candidate at the Faculty of Behavioural Sciences
University of Twente P.O. Box 217 7500 AE Enschede The Netherlands
E-mail: [email protected] Telephone : + 31 61500 6960
ABSTRACT
This paper presents a theoretical framework on the relationship between social networks, social capital and knowledge productivity within organizations. In our knowledge economy, the competitive advantage of organisations relies on the capability to adapt to the changing environment by the continuous generation and application of new knowledge (Harrison & Kessels, 2004 p. 3). This specific capability is described as knowledge productivity. In this paper and the related PhD study the construct of knowledge is described as a social process of interaction between organizational members. If we consider organizational knowledge as a ‘social process of knowing’ (Huemer, Von Krog & Roos, 1998. p. 140), social networks and social capital plus supportive theories offer a conceptual framework for studying and understanding the process of knowledge productivity. This perspective provides argumentation that the composition and relation between social networks and social capital affects the organizational ability to become knowledge productive. This paper will theoretically conceptualise that knowledge productivity can be described as a continuous learning process. Henceforth, this paper elaborates on the notion that these learning processes can only take place in a social environment in which social networks play a facilitating role. This paper explores the dynamics of these powerful learning processes within social networks that take place in a rich landscape of social capital.
KEY WORDS
Social networks, social capital, knowledge productivity, learning processes
Paper to be presented at the XXVII International Sunbelt Social Network Conference Corfu, Greece 1 Tjip de Jong Msc. University of Twente, The Netherlands [email protected]
INTRODUCTION
This paper presents the preliminary results of a theoretical study on the relationship between knowledge productivity, social networks and social capital within knowledge intensive business firms. After the introduction, a brief description of the overarching research themes is given followed by the initial problem statement and the goal of this study. Based on these insights the central questions will be addressed, the key concepts of the study and a methodology for designing a case study. The design of this case study fits in a larger Phd study.
In an economy where knowledge is dominant, daily operations in organizations should be designed to support knowledge productivity (Kessels, 2001, p. 7). This process entails identifying, gathering and interpreting relevant information, using this information to develop new skills and then to apply these skills to improve and radically innovate operating procedures, products and services (Keursten et al., 2006, p. 406). Understanding the processes of knowledge productivity and organizing a knowledge productive work environment will probably become one of the main challenges for Human Resource Development (Kessels, 2004, p. 169). Studies on organizational learning, innovation and knowledge productivity indicate that the way people actually work differs fundamentally from the way organizations are designed (Brown & Duguid, 1991 p. 40). Significant learning and innovation processes takes place within informal social networks or so-called communities of practice (Wenger et al., 2002 p. 5). The core principles of this perspective are profound and simple, and they reflect something many of us know in our bones to be true (Stamps, 2000 p. 59):