Whelan, E., Knowledge Exchange in Electronic Networks of Practice; Towards a conceptual Framework. CISC Working Paper No. 20, November 2005

The recently developed knowledge-based view of the firm argues that knowledge is the firm�s most valuable resource. Within this field of study, informal social networks are rapidly gaining attention as mechanisms which facilitate knowledge flows. Electronic networks of practice are a special case of informal networks where the sharing of practice related knowledge occurs primarily through computer-based communication technologies. However, we know relatively little about the dynamics of knowledge exchange which occur in these electronic networks. This paper posits that there is a relationship between the structural properties of electronic networks of practice and successful knowledge exchange. The theoretical positions of social network theory and the knowledge-based view of the firm are used to support this claim.





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