IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/infosf/v14y2012i2d10.1007_s10796-010-9250-4.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Inter-organisational knowledge transfer in social networks: A definition of intermediate ties

Author

Listed:
  • Silke Retzer

    (Victoria University of Wellington)

  • Pak Yoong

    (Victoria University of Wellington)

  • Val Hooper

    (Victoria University of Wellington)

Abstract

A social network perspective helps identify and analyse informal knowledge transfer among people and organisations with the aim to recommend organisational interventions and improvements, for example in the form of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) support. This paper particularly focuses on a key concept of social network analysis (SNA), the concept of tie strength, in an inter-organisational knowledge transfer context. Tie strength describes the strength of a social relationship. In the past, SNA literature with a knowledge management context has often emphasized the importance of strong and/or weak ties rather than of intermediate (medium strong) ties in a social network. Nevertheless, in this study, intermediate ties are identified as the dominant links among key groups of organisation in a social network. Intermediate ties also help connect otherwise weakly linked organisations. Moreover, a definition of intermediate ties in the context of knowledge management is introduced. With the help of cluster analysis and an investigation into the levels of reciprocity, intermediate ties can be clearly defined in a social network. Due to their importance for knowledge transfer in a social network, intermediate ties should be primarily supported, for example by appropriate ICT.

Suggested Citation

  • Silke Retzer & Pak Yoong & Val Hooper, 2012. "Inter-organisational knowledge transfer in social networks: A definition of intermediate ties," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 14(2), pages 343-361, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:infosf:v:14:y:2012:i:2:d:10.1007_s10796-010-9250-4
    DOI: 10.1007/s10796-010-9250-4
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s10796-010-9250-4
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s10796-010-9250-4?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Mark Easterby‐Smith & Marjorie A. Lyles & Eric W. K. Tsang, 2008. "Inter‐Organizational Knowledge Transfer: Current Themes and Future Prospects," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 45(4), pages 677-690, June.
    2. Henrik Bresman & Julian Birkinshaw & Robert Nobel, 1999. "Knowledge Transfer in International Acquisitions," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 30(3), pages 439-462, September.
    3. Caroline Haythornthwaite & Barry Wellman, 1998. "Work, friendship, and media use for information exchange in a networked organization," Journal of the American Society for Information Science, Association for Information Science & Technology, vol. 49(12), pages 1101-1114.
    4. Nan Lin & Paul W. Dayton & Peter Greenwald, 1978. "Analyzing the Instrumental Use of Relations in the Context of Social Structure," Sociological Methods & Research, , vol. 7(2), pages 149-166, November.
    5. Kelvin Chan & Jay Liebowitz, 2006. "The synergy of social network analysis and knowledge mapping: a case study," International Journal of Management and Decision Making, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 7(1), pages 19-35.
    6. Daniel Z. Levin & Rob Cross, 2004. "The Strength of Weak Ties You Can Trust: The Mediating Role of Trust in Effective Knowledge Transfer," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 50(11), pages 1477-1490, November.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Chulhwan Chris Bang, 2015. "Information systems frontiers: Keyword analysis and classification," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 17(1), pages 217-237, February.
    2. Zhao, Danyang & Wang, Longwei & Gu, Flora F., 2021. "Reconsidering network embeddedness: Effects on different forms of opportunism," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 131(C), pages 12-24.
    3. Emily Bacon & Michael D. Williams & Gareth H. Davies, 2023. "On the Combinatory Nature of Knowledge Transfer Conditions: A Mixed Method Assessment," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 25(3), pages 1039-1061, June.
    4. Sam Solaimani & Harry Bouwman & Timo Itälä, 2015. "Networked enterprise business model alignment: A case study on smart living," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 17(4), pages 871-887, August.
    5. Gaganmeet Kaur Awal & K. K. Bharadwaj, 2019. "Leveraging collective intelligence for behavioral prediction in signed social networks through evolutionary approach," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 21(2), pages 417-439, April.
    6. Jorge Martinez-Gil & José F. Aldana-Montes, 2013. "Semantic similarity measurement using historical google search patterns," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 15(3), pages 399-410, July.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Yildiz, H. Emre, 2016. "“Us vs. them” or “us over them”? On the roles of similarity and status in M&As," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 25(1), pages 51-65.
    2. Sajjad Jasimuddin & Jun Li & Nicholas Perdikis, 2015. "Linkage between geographic space and knowledge transfer by multinational enterprises: a structural equation approach," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 54(3), pages 769-795, May.
    3. Pérez-Nordtvedt, Liliana & Babakus, Emin & Kedia, Ben L., 2010. "Learning from international business affiliates: developing resource-based learning capacity through networks and knowledge acquisition," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 16(3), pages 262-274, September.
    4. Zhou, Abby Jingzi & Fey, Carl & Yildiz, H. Emre, 2020. "Fostering integration through HRM practices: An empirical examination of absorptive capacity and knowledge transfer in cross-border M&As," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 55(2).
    5. Pei Yee Chin & Nina Evans & Charles Zhechao Liu & Kim-Kwang Raymond Choo, 2020. "Understanding Factors Influencing Employees’ Consumptive and Contributive Use of Enterprise Social Networks," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 22(6), pages 1357-1376, December.
    6. Pei Yee Chin & Nina Evans & Charles Zhechao Liu & Kim-Kwang Raymond Choo, 0. "Understanding Factors Influencing Employees’ Consumptive and Contributive Use of Enterprise Social Networks," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 0, pages 1-20.
    7. Josef Windsperger & Nina Gorovaia, 2011. "Knowledge attributes and the choice of knowledge transfer mechanism in networks: the case of franchising," Journal of Management & Governance, Springer;Accademia Italiana di Economia Aziendale (AIDEA), vol. 15(4), pages 617-640, November.
    8. Munjal, Surender & Andersson, Ulf & Pereira, Vijay & Budhwar, Pawan, 2021. "Exploring reverse knowledge transfer and asset augmentation strategy by developed country MNEs: Case study evidence from the Indian pharmaceutical industry," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 30(6).
    9. Valeria Arza & Mariela Carattoli, 2017. "Personal ties in university-industry linkages: a case-study from Argentina," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 42(4), pages 814-840, August.
    10. Ioannidis, Evangelos & Varsakelis, Nikos & Antoniou, Ioannis, 2018. "Experts in Knowledge Networks: Central Positioning and Intelligent Selections," Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Elsevier, vol. 509(C), pages 890-905.
    11. Law, Kuok Kei, 2014. "The problem with knowledge ambiguity," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 32(3), pages 444-450.
    12. Gibb, Jenny & Sune, Albert & Albers, Sascha, 2017. "Network learning: Episodes of interorganizational learning towards a collective performance goal," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 35(1), pages 15-25.
    13. Balboni, Bernardo & Marchi, Gianluca & Vignola, Marina, 2017. "Knowledge transfer in the context of buyer–supplier relationship: An analysis of a supplier's customer portfolio," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 277-287.
    14. Martin-Rios, Carlos, 2014. "Why do firms seek to share human resource management knowledge? The importance of inter-firm networks," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 67(2), pages 190-199.
    15. Majuri, Matti, 2022. "Inter-firm knowledge transfer in R&D project networks: A multiple case study," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 115(C).
    16. Dynah A. Basuil & Deepak K. Datta, 2015. "Effects of Industry- and Region-Specific Acquisition Experience on Value Creation in Cross-Border Acquisitions: The Moderating Role of Cultural Similarity," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 52(6), pages 766-795, September.
    17. Díez-Vial, Isabel & Montoro-Sánchez, Ángeles, 2016. "How knowledge links with universities may foster innovation: The case of a science park," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 50, pages 41-52.
    18. Sanghyun Park & Phanish Puranam, 2020. "Learning what they think vs. learning what they do: The micro-foundations of vicarious learning," Papers 2007.15264, arXiv.org, revised Jul 2020.
    19. Ioannidis, Evangelos & Varsakelis, Nikos & Antoniou, Ioannis, 2017. "False Beliefs in Unreliable Knowledge Networks," Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Elsevier, vol. 470(C), pages 275-295.
    20. Dean A. Shepherd & Trenton A. Williams, 2014. "Local Venturing as Compassion Organizing in the Aftermath of a Natural Disaster: The Role of Localness and Community in Reducing Suffering," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 51(6), pages 952-994, September.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:infosf:v:14:y:2012:i:2:d:10.1007_s10796-010-9250-4. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.