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This chapter provides a deep dive into knowledge networks. The authors provide an inclusive definition of a knowledge network. A knowledge network includes nodes as sources and targets of knowledge, relationships as knowledge links, and messages as knowledge transactions and flows. The authors note how knowledge networks differ from other types of networks, specifically their dynamic and chaotic state and continuous transactions. These peculiarities reflect the economic properties and behaviors of knowledge. The elements of networks described in Chapter 2 are elaborated for knowledge networks. The chapter calls out knowledge network domains, geographies, typologies, nodes, messages, and relationships.

This chapter explores the role of nodes in knowledge networks. The authors characterize knowledge nodes by the type of actors they represent, including individual human agents, collective human groups and teams, explicit non-human objects and resources, and non-human agents and machines. The authors define knowledge nodes by their role in the network, including producer, consumer, or broker of knowledge, and in terms of the stock of knowledge they represent and their capacity to absorb knowledge made available in the network.

This chapter focuses on network links as knowledge flows and relationships. Knowledge links are defined as channels for communicating and distributing knowledge. The literature on network links is aligned with the literature on knowledge sharing, transfer, exchange, and appropriation. This chapter focuses on the peculiar attributes of knowledge network links. The authors identify the attributes to include a link’s direction, length and distance, strength and durability, concentration and congestion, velocity and impact, meaning and intention, and the coverage and spread. The authors also describe standard configurations of knowledge networks.

This chapter focuses on networks comprised of explicit data sources and information and non-human machines as actors. As non-human actors, we include intelligent agents, robotics, and other forms of interactive artificial intelligence. All six facets of knowledge networks are explored. Given these networks’ peculiar nature, three facets have particular importance, including geography, topology, and relationships. The authors provide profiles of seven networks, including semantic and citation networks, webpage networks, communications and computer networks, and energy grids.

This chapter focuses on the treatment and characterization of networks as an emerging discipline. Networks are defined. The authors call out and explain the importance of network domains, network geographies and topologies, network behaviors, network nodes, network links, relationships and flows, and network messages. While network sciences provide a strong foundation for research and analysis, the authors note the lack of knowledge networks. This chapter highlights the need to expand coverage to include knowledge networks.

This chapter focuses on scientific and research networks. All six facets of knowledge networks are described. The importance of three facets is called out, including domain, knowledge, and nodes. The authors provide profiles of five networks, including an invisible college in chemistry, a professional association network in engineering, an editorial network, a national biological observation collaboration, and a national science museum.

This chapter focuses on emergency and hastily formed knowledge networks. All six facets of knowledge networks are described. The importance of four of the six facets is called out, including domain, topology, nodes, and relationships among the networks’ members. The authors provide four network profiles, including emergency and disaster response networks, law enforcement networks, military networks, and militia and vigilante networks.

This chapter focuses on business and industry networks. All six facets of knowledge networks are described. Three of the six facets have particular importance for these networks, specifically domain, relationships, and how messages are managed and controlled. The authors provide six network profiles, including health care industry networks, fashion industry networks, technology industry networks, food production industry networks, building industry networks, and transportation industry networks.