Exploring Knowledge Sharing in Social Structures: Potential Contributions to an Overall Knowledge Management Strategy

Abstract

The problem and the solution. As more attention has turned to knowledge management in organizations, there has been an increasing shift in focus from technology solutions to social dimensions. It is the focus on people and the management of knowledge-sharing processes that has lacked attention in the literature and is of particular importance to the HRD profession. Knowledge sharing has been identified as the most critical factor in knowledge management, yet we do not fully understand how individuals share knowledge or the role social structures such as teams and work-related communities could play in an overall knowledge management strategy. Through a review of the literature, the authors explore types of social structures in organizations and the knowledge shared within these structures. From this review, they suggest potential new ways of thinking about the role of HRD in the design of social structures and the facilitation of knowledge-sharing processes.