Knowledge Diffusion via Social Networks

Abstract

The paper focuses on the phenomenon of social networks and their role in the process of knowledge diffusion. Social networks define the structure of a population of individuals. Diverse and dynamic environments lead to evolution of social networks as informing media. The Internet revolution affected especially the way people communicate and it naturally produced a new infrastructure for maintaining social networks. Different topologies of social networks are considered as different paths of knowledge diffusion. The paper addresses the challenges and opportunities this new infrastructure provides. It also argues for needs of “social network literacy” for successful and fruitful use of technology in solving the knowledge acquiring problem.