Harvesting knowledge from computer mediated social networks
| Published date | 16 August 2011 |
| Pages | 252-264 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/03055721111171609 |
| Date | 16 August 2011 |
| Author | Oluwafemi S. Ogunseye,Philip K. Adetiloye,Samuel O. Idowu,Olusegun Folorunso,Adio T. Akinwale |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management |
Harvesting knowledge from
computer mediated social
networks
Oluwafemi S. Ogunseye and Philip K. Adetiloye
Department of Computer Science, University of Agriculture Abeokuta,
Abeokuta, Nigeria
Samuel O. Idowu
Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering,
Lulea
˚University of Technology, Lulea
˚, Sweden, and
Olusegun Folorunso and Adio T. Akinwale
Department of Computer Science, University of Agriculture Abeokuta,
Abeokuta, Nigeria
Abstract
Purpose – This paper aims to focus on how the advantages of computer mediated social networks
(CMSN) can be effectively harnessed to create value for organizations in the form of ready knowledge
and quick solutions to problems.
Design/methodology/approach – A knowledge capture technique – the Delphi technique – was
fused into the social networking process. A model was designed to help show how this can be achieved
and further illustrated through a case study of the dotCSC intranet portal – a social networking project
conceptualized and designed by the authors for the Department of Computer Science, in the authors’
university. An online survey was carried out to determine the efficacy of the prototype dotCSC.
Findings – The results show that, though computer mediated social networks are regarded as major
sources of social capital development and potential sources of knowledge capital, there is still room for
improvement in their present design if they are to be effectively used for knowledge creation and
management attaining their optimum potential. Conversely, the bad spells and pitfalls of KM
acceptance and deployment in organizations tend to be reduced when it is amalgamated with SN. The
survey conducted showed that the users of the dotCSC enjoyed using the prototype as they would any
other CMSN and that the strategies employed in the development of the dotCSC was effective in
problem solving, knowledge creation, capturing, and indeed, management.
Research limitations/implications – This improvement strategy is by no means exhaustive of
the creative ways that knowledge capturing and management concepts can be combined and applied
in the actual design of CMSNs for the benefit of organizations. It is meant to be an eye opener, a clarion
call to developers and IS managers. It will also serve as a starting point into the future of objective KM
oriented CMSN. Possible response bias from some respondents can be considered a primary limitation
of the research.
Originality/value – Looking through existing documentation and literature would show that this
research presents a novel approach/model in the design of CMSNs. It is able to aid knowledge
generation or synthesis in organizations by objectively structuring staff conversations through the
CMSNs to facilitate knowledge management. It can also help organizations leverage the success and
appeal of CMSN in their design of KMSs.
Keywords Computer mediatedsocial networks, Social networkingsites, Knowledge management,
Knowledge managementsystems, Delphi technique, Knowledgeextraction, Text mining
Paper type Research paper
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at
www.emeraldinsight.com/0305-5728.htm
VINE
41,3
252
VINE: The journal of information and
knowledge management systems
Vol. 41 No. 3, 2011
pp. 252-264
qEmerald Group Publishing Limited
0305-5728
DOI 10.1108/03055721111171609
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