Social Networking Technologies and Informal Knowledge Sharing in Organizations

Mohammad Hossein Jarrahi Syracuse University, USA

Steve Sawyer Syracuse University, USA

Abstract
This presentation investigates the role of corporate social networking technologies in knowledge sharing. Through this research we will investigate the take-up and uses of social network technologies (SNTs) by knowledge workers in formal social organizations. Our premise is that the uses of SNTs, and the personal networks of informal ties that this use both enables and encourages, are mutually constitutive. We focus on the mutual constitution of social networks and SNTs because organizations are increasingly finding information sharing initiatives imperative to their knowledge management activities, and social networking is the most well understood means to do this. In doing this research we pursue three contributions: (1) Conceptual insight and empirical support for the material nature and value of digitally-enabled social connections. (2) Advance current conceptual understanding of SNT’s organizational value. And, in doing this we build from and synthesize current and relevant research from several intellectual communities such as social computing, information systems, social network analysis, and organizational studies. (3) Articulate organizationally-relevant design and governance principles regarding SNT uses.

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Reference:	Jarrahi, M.H., Sawyer, S. (2010). "Social Networking Technologies and Informal Knowledge Sharing in Organizations," Proceedings > Proceedings of IFIP 8.2/Organizations and Society in Information Systems (OASIS) . Sprouts: Working Papers on Information Systems, 10(87). http://sprouts.aisnet.org/10-87
Keywords:	Social Networking Technologies, Knowledge Sharing, Informal Networks
Item Type:	Article - Volume 10 Article 87 (2010)
Language:	English
Email:	Mohammad Hossein Jarrahi (mhjarrah@syr.edu) Steve Sawyer (ssawyer@syr.edu)

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