Study on enterprise knowledge sharing in ESN perspective: a Chinese case study

Abstract

Purpose

An enterprise social network (ESN) is part of the landscape of information reform by enterprises, using Web 2.0. In terms of the marketing targets of typical Web 2.0 techniques, enterprise knowledge sharing in Web 2.0 can be classified into different types (individual interaction type, group interaction type, social interaction type, real‐time interaction type and delay interaction type). The purpose of this paper is to summarize the features and modes of different enterprises' knowledge sharing and study enterprise knowledge sharing quantitatively from an ESN perspective by selecting real‐time interaction type as the case.

Design/methodology/approach

Because of the area of research, the authors supplemented social network analysis (SNA) with a mathematical modeling method and additional in‐depth interviews.

Findings

The Web 2.0 era provides the opportunity to quantify knowledge sharing. Also, SNA can quantitatively and visually diagnose the knowledge sharing status of the enterprise and guide the enterprise's knowledge‐sharing process.

Research limitations/implications

Only a case study regarding real‐time interaction type is presented; other types of interaction are not studied empirically.

Practical implications

SNA, combined with a mathematical modeling method and additional in‐depth interviews with team leaders or key managers in organizations, can diagnose quantitatively, visually and comprehensively the knowledge‐sharing status of the enterprise.

Originality/value

This paper systematically summarizes the features and modes of Web 2.0 enterprise knowledge sharing, and the multiple‐method research design represents a sound approach to targeting enterprise knowledge sharing.

Citation

Zhao, R. and Chen, B. (2013), "Study on enterprise knowledge sharing in ESN perspective: a Chinese case study", Journal of Knowledge Management, Vol. 17 No. 3, pp. 416-434. https://doi.org/10.1108/JKM-12-2012-0375