The Value of Online Networks of Practice: The Role of Embeddedness and Media Use

2010 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 205-215 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bart van den Hooff ◽  
Femke de Leeuw van Weenen ◽  
Maura Soekijad ◽  
Marleen Huysman
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Integration ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Online Networks ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Local Practices ◽  
Relational Embeddedness ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Networks Of Practice

This article addresses the question how networks of practice (NoPs) can create value (operationalized as their contribution to individual members’ performance) for organizations through knowledge integration and management. The discussion focuses on two sets of variables influencing member performance: the embeddedness of the network and the use of different media. Three dimensions of embeddedness are distinguished: (1) embeddedness in practice: the extent to which the knowledge shared in the network is integrated in members’ (local) practices; (2) structural embeddedness: the extent to which network members are connected to each other and know who knows what; and (3) relational embeddedness: the extent to which the network is characterized by strong social ties. In terms of communication media, information and communication technology (ICT)-enabled and face-to-face interaction are distinguished. A survey study among 206 members of different NoPs reveals that all three forms of embeddedness are important antecedents of NoP member performance (explaining 43% of the variance in performance) and that these forms are interrelated. Furthermore, ICT use positively influences embeddedness in practice, whereas face-to-face communication contributes to the structural and relational embeddedness of an NoP. This contributes to knowledge management and ICT literature in general and NoP theory in particular.

scholarly journals Ethnomethodology Study of Digitalized Social Communication Apprehension in Basmala Youth Community Members

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tuti Widiastuti ◽  
Rajab Ritonga
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technology ◽  
Communication Technology ◽  
Social Communication ◽  
Communication Apprehension ◽  
Communication Process ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Youth Community

In the era of Society 5.0, the role of communication technology was further enhanced so that it made it easier for humans in various aspects, such as economic, social, cultural, educational, health, business, and so on. However, the sophistication of information and communication technology causes interpersonal to interact less rarely face to face and face to face because it is more comfortable interacting through cyberspace through social media. This research was conducted to illustrate how social communication from understanding anxiety in the digital age. In conducting interactions, each individual can experience communication fears where individuals tend to experience anxiety because too much information is received. The group can be one of the very positive spheres of communication. The object of this research is Basmala members, who have various backgrounds as members of Islamic spiritual groups who uphold religious values. This research uses a qualitative research method with an ethnomethodology type that looks at how the disclosure of reality in people's lives and how individuals receive, learn, apply information provided in the community. Basmala is an Islamic spiritual organization whose members are students. As a religious organization where the culture and activities of the organization also have characteristics that can lead to the basic rules of religion that are expected to familiarize its members to deal with differences in the communication process to overcome the causes of communication apprehension

Participation in Social Networks as Feral Information Systems

2014 ◽  
pp. 209-226
Author(s):  
Enrico Franchi ◽  
Agostino Poggi ◽  
Michele Tomaiuolo
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Information Systems ◽  
Social Networking ◽  
Virtual Teams ◽  
Work Place ◽  
Business Systems ◽  
Online Networks ◽  
Networks Of Practice

Social networking systems blur the distinction between the private and working spheres, and users are known to use such systems both at home and at the work place, both professionally and with recreational goals. In fact, several traditional information systems have been modified in order to include social aspects. However, in the vast majority of cases, social networking platforms are used without corporate blessing, maintaining their status as feral systems. This chapter provides some background notions about theories of participation in social networks. In particular, it reviews the notion of social capital, which may be important both for the individuals that are able to accumulate large amounts and for organizations. Subsequently, it shows the role of social capital in the participation in online social networking activities, in the various cases of virtual organizations, virtual teams, and online networks of practice. Finally, it describes the present situation and some possible prospects where social elements are being increasingly introduced into more traditional business systems, such as CRMs and ERPs, with great promises and mixed initial results.

Participation in Social Networks as Feral Information Systems

2015 ◽  
pp. 1947-1962
Author(s):  
Enrico Franchi ◽  
Agostino Poggi ◽  
Michele Tomaiuolo
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Information Systems ◽  
Social Networking ◽  
Virtual Teams ◽  
Work Place ◽  
Business Systems ◽  
Online Networks ◽  
Networks Of Practice

Social networking systems blur the distinction between the private and working spheres, and users are known to use such systems both at home and at the work place, both professionally and with recreational goals. In fact, several traditional information systems have been modified in order to include social aspects. However, in the vast majority of cases, social networking platforms are used without corporate blessing, maintaining their status as feral systems. This chapter provides some background notions about theories of participation in social networks. In particular, it reviews the notion of social capital, which may be important both for the individuals that are able to accumulate large amounts and for organizations. Subsequently, it shows the role of social capital in the participation in online social networking activities, in the various cases of virtual organizations, virtual teams, and online networks of practice. Finally, it describes the present situation and some possible prospects where social elements are being increasingly introduced into more traditional business systems, such as CRMs and ERPs, with great promises and mixed initial results.

Social Media for Online Collaboration in Firms and Organizations

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Enrico Franchi ◽  
Agostino Poggi ◽  
Michele Tomaiuolo
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Social Networking ◽  
Virtual Teams ◽  
Virtual Organizations ◽  
Social Aspects ◽  
Work Place ◽  
Online Networks ◽  
Networks Of Practice ◽  
Initial Results

Participation in social networks has long been studied as a social phenomenon according to different theories. In particular, the notion of social capital highlights a person's benefit due to his relations with other persons, including family, colleagues, friends and generic contacts. It may be important both for the individuals that are able to accumulate large amounts, and for organizations. Nowadays, social networking systems bring many acquaintances online, both in the private and working spheres. Some systems are used both at home, for leisure goals, and on the work place, professionally. In the vast majority of cases, social networking platforms are still used without corporate blessing. However, several traditional information systems, such as CRMs and ERPs, have also been modified in order to include social aspects. This article shows the role of social capital in the participation in online social networking activities, in the various cases of Virtual Organizations, Virtual Teams, and online Networks of Practice. It describes the present situation, which is characterized by great promises and mixed initial results, and some possible prospects.

Newcomers’ Trait Positive Affectivity and Social Assimilation in Organizations: Testing the Mediating Role of Proactive Relationship Building Behaviors

2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 306-322
Author(s):  
Hairong Li ◽  
Jinyan Fan ◽  
Xiang Yao ◽  
Lu Zheng
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Relationship Building ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Positive Affectivity ◽  
New Employees ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
The Social

Becoming assimilated into the social environment at an organization is critical and challenging to newcomers. The present study examined whether newcomers’ trait positive affectivity (PA) could predict social assimilation through proactive relationship building behaviors including general socializing, relationship building with boss, and networking. Participants in this three-wave survey study were 323 new employees in three organizations in China. Results based on structural equation modeling showed that newcomers’ trait PA at T1 (within 2 weeks postentry) was positively related to all three dimensions of relationship building behaviors at T2 (8 weeks postentry); however, only general socialization was found to mediate the relationships between PA and two social assimilation outcomes at T3 (14 weeks postentry), that is, social integration and affective organizational commitment. Theoretical and practical implications were discussed.

Intra-organizational Communication in Healthcare

2008 ◽  
Vol 47 (04) ◽  
pp. 336-345 ◽  
Author(s):  
Z. Niazkhani ◽  
M. Berg ◽  
R. Bal ◽  
H. Pirnejad
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Communication ◽  
Interpersonal Communication ◽  
Medical Errors ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Scientific Disciplines ◽  
Communication Space ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Healthcare Communication ◽  
And Control

Summary Objectives: Intra-organizational communication is mostly interpersonal. Synchronous interruptive communication is recognized as aprimary source of inefficiency anderror in healthcare, and there is much potential for information and communication technology (ICT) to improve such communication. As recently suggested, however, due to communication failures ICT can also compound medical errors. In this paper we analyze factors that restrict the role of ICT in improving interpersonal healthcare communication and suggest solutions. Methods: We critically analyzed the literature from a selection of diverse scientific disciplines. These were related to interpersonal communication, tothe role and place of standardization and computerization in its improvement, and to reducing medical errors. Results: Four possible scenarios were defined on how ICT can serve healthcare communication. Two differing conceptual frameworks about communication in health-care were discussed. Considering “information space” as apart of “communication space ” allows the recognition and control of the source of the semantic gaps in conventional standardization and an enhancement of the role of ICT in improving intra-organizational communication. Moreover, cognitive, social, and organizational dimensions of complexity in interpersonal communication can be managed. Three approaches to control the variability in those dimensions and to promote therole of ICT in intra-organizational communication were discussed. Conclusion: A multi-dimensional approach is required to promote the role of ICT in intra-organizational communication in healthcare. Parallel to conventional standardization, atleast three dimensions need to be addressed: controlling the effect of the social context, developing standard information processing skills, and most importantly, controlling variations in care practices’ performance.

scholarly journals How ability, motivation and opportunity influence travel agents performance: the moderating role of absorptive capacity

2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 119-141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed Mohamed Elbaz ◽  
Gomaa Mohamed Agag ◽  
Nasser Alhamar Alkathiri
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Transfer ◽  
Absorptive Capacity ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Frontline Employees ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Travel Agents ◽  
Greater Cairo ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose This study aims to examine the influence of the three dimensions of travel agents’ manager competencies – ability, motivation and opportunity seeking – on knowledge transfer and travel agents’ performance. In addition, the study investigates how employee’s absorptive capacity moderates the effects of managers’ competencies on knowledge received by the employees and moderates the effects of knowledge received by the employees on travel agents’ performance. Design/methodology/approach A positivist research philosophy was adopted with a quantitative approach, in which quantitative data were gathered based on questionnaires to tackle different stages of the study. To test the hypotheses, a self-administrated face-to-face survey of about 42 questions, launched on November 7, 2016, was used to compile response from top and medium management Category A travel agents operating in Egypt. Findings Based on a sample of 577 travel agents’ frontline employees, the results showed that the three dimensions of travel agents’ competencies have a positive effect on knowledge received by the employee. Findings further indicated that knowledge received by employee mediates the link between these three competencies and travel agents’ performance. The link between the competencies and knowledge received by the employee was found to be positively moderated by employee absorptive capacity. Moreover, these findings suggested that the relationship between knowledge received and travel agents’ performance is stronger when employees’ absorptive capacity is greater. Research limitations/implications This study is bound by certain limitations that also provide fertile grounds for further research. First, the study examined how an employee’s absorptive capacity moderates the effects of managers’ competencies on knowledge received by the employees and moderates the effects of knowledge received by the employees on travel agents’ performance. However, innovation as a dependent variable can be investigated. Second, one limitation is that the study is restricted to Category A travel agents only in Greater Cairo. Third, examining the antecedents of ability, motivation and opportunity seeking to transfer knowledge is also important. Practical implications It is important for travel agents, owners, managers and employees to acknowledge absorptive capacity as a critical component for organizations to sustain, grow and compete. Travel agents can also take steps to develop their employees’ absorptive capacity. Doing so would further enhance the success of knowledge, employees and travel agents’ performance. Also, travel agents’ top management has to ensure their employees’ absorbing knowledge, identifying and recognizing external knowledge, processing and understanding it, combining it with existing knowledge and applying the new knowledge to commercial ends. Hence, the development of absorptive capacity contributes to a travel agent’s achievement of competitive advantage. Originality/value This study contributes to the literature by expanding the extant literature on knowledge transfer and absorptive capacity by investigating the influence of travel agents’ manager competencies – ability, motivation and opportunity seeking – for knowledge transfer in the Egyptian context. In addition, it investigates the direct effects of the three dimensions of travel agents’ manager competencies – ability, motivation and opportunity seeking – for knowledge transfer. Finally, the paper investigates how employee’s absorptive capacity moderates the effects of managers’ competencies on knowledge received by the employees and moderates the effects of knowledge received by the employees on travel agents’ performance

scholarly journals UJIAN SECARA ONLINE BAGI PENDIDIKAN TERBUKA DAN JARAK JAUH

2010 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 88-95
Author(s):  
Herman
Keyword(s):  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Course Delivery ◽  
Educational Institutions ◽  
Skilled Worker ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Course Materials ◽  
Examination Result ◽  
Online Examination ◽  
Information And Communication

Open and Distance Learning (ODL) nowadays becomes a trend in higher education. Course delivery and course materials distribution have already been in electronic form by using information and communication technology (ICT). This technology becomes cheaper and much easier to be used. Indonesia as a nation where its people spread in thousands of islands does not always have face-to-face university in each city. Meanwhile, the need of skilled worker is always increased. ODL then becomes an alternative to educate people by using different way of teaching and learning process. People who have difficulties in accessing face-to-face university can use ODL as an alternative to upgrade their education. The role of ICT in ODL become important since the students can learn by using ICT. The students can also “meet” their colleagues virtually. Meanwhile, it was explored that ICT can be utilized for online examination. Online examination is more efficient, much faster in processing the examination result, and much cheaper in budget. This article discusses many aspects of strength and weakneses which is faced by educational institutions in administering online examinations.

Mobility of ICT Services in Namibian Institutions: A Literature Review

2020 ◽  
pp. 18-21
Author(s):  
Nikodemus Angula ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Portable Devices ◽  
End User ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
E Learning ◽  
Participative Methods ◽  
On Line ◽  
World Information

In today's world information and communication technology (ICT) play a crucial role and at the same time, it affects our lives every day. In the current digital age, many organisations across the globe make use of ICT as a tool to facilities teaching and learning (Bosamia, 2018). These technologies have been used to enable end-user to access content materials offered online such as portable devices such smartphone, laptops and so on which operate for information, speed, and communication anywhere and anytime without physically visiting the location where the service is offered. With the use of ICT, e-commerce comes into play which enables end-user to send an email, market shopping to on-line shopping, classroom learning to e-learning where class are conducted over the internet. In the Namibian education systems environment high institutions of learning use traditional methods of teaching which is concerned with the teacher/ lecturer being the controller of the learning environment. Hence, power and responsibility are held by the teacher/lecturer and they play the role of instructor (in the form of lecturers) and decision maker (in regards to curriculum content and specific outcomes through different types of teaching methods such as Teacher-centred methods, learner-centered methods, content-focused methods and interactive/ participative methods which is done using face-to-face mode of teaching and learning without embedding fully ICT infrastructures that support teaching and learning to take place.

Exploring the Dynamics of Knowledge Integration

2006 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 143-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cecilia Enberg ◽  
Lars Lindkvist ◽  
Fredrik Tell
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Integration ◽  
Ad Hoc ◽  
Intergenerational Learning ◽  
Learning Mechanisms ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Iterative Model ◽  
Complementary Role ◽  
Dynamic Perspective ◽  
The Individual

This article investigates knowledge integration in product development projects. While much previous literature draws attention to the need for clearly specified goals, extensive knowledge sharing and close face-to-face interaction for activity and knowledge integration, alternative explanations are offered. The findings highlight the integrative capacity of individuals’ experience and tacit foreknowledge of the stacker artefact, as well as the complementary role of meetings and ad hoc problem solving. The article proposes an iterative model of the individual/collective dynamics involved and calls attention to its economizing potential. More generally, it provides an example of how the issue of knowledge integration may be reformulated into a dynamic perspective, recognizing the intergenerational learning benefits that accrue. The conclusions extend the argument of Zollo and Winter by showing how different task-related learning mechanisms may be combined and obtain their integrative capacity within an iterative process.

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