Tacit Knowledge Network Development: The Comparative Analysis of Knowledge Threads in Complex Systems

From the Social Science Research Network, this article looks at the development and survival of knowledge communities - or maybe I should just the authors tell you what they are on about - this is from the Introduction:

The importance of what specific elements are required to underpin sustainability becomes evident when attempting to grasp the difficult dynamics of tacit knowledge exchange and emergent networks. Existing and emergent knowledge networks display dynamic responses to their rapidly changing environments. This paper attempts to identify and discuss the processes of these systems and how knowledge networks behave across boundaries. Through case study work, this paper will also examine how individuals within networks combine knowledge exchanges within and beyond the group network to resolve issues.

This is probably a little too specific of a paper in some ways - they rely on a manufacturing small-medium sized enterprise in Thailand as their case study. But the model is transferable, and they are taking an integrated approach in general.

The full PDF is available at the link below.

Tacit Knowledge Network Development: The Comparative Analysis of Knowledge Threads in Complex Systems

Susu Nousala
RMIT University

Suthida Jamsai-Whyte
Faculty of Management Science, Ubon Ratchathani University

William P. Hall
Engineering Learning Unit, University of Melbourne

November 16, 2010

Knowledge Cities World Summit, Melbourne, Australia, November 16-19, 2010

Abstract:
Knowledge-based groups or communities are complex systems that emerge, evolve and mature through stages that display specific features and capabilities of the community or group. Understanding these capabilities and features are fundamental to building sustainable economic, social and learning networks systems. Understanding emergent behaviour within and beyond organizational communities requires understanding the social or sociological aspects in relation to the explicit formal/physical structures in the organization. Looking deeper into the development of informal networks across boundaries highlights the geographic structures and scales of knowledge flows and their influence on urban communities.

• Purpose – The purpose of the paper is to examine the theory of knowledge networks through applied research.
• Design/methodology/approach – This is a case study approach, incorporating action research through embedded practice, utilizing interdisciplinary (or rather non-disciplinary) techniques and is thus a novel approach and application.
• Originality/value –This methodology translation of knowledge networks from theory into practice to yield little known or understood technical issues when working in social complex adaptive systems.
• Practical implications – The outcomes of the application contributes to the understanding of how, what and why sustainable social networks develop, offering the possibility of application in the field.

Tags: tacit, knowledge networks, enterprise, company structure, formal knowledge network, informal knowledge network, business, leadership, knowledge, networks, structure, Susu Nousala, Suthida Jamsai-Whyte, William P. Hall, Social Science Research Network