RECENTLY
COMPLETED PROJECTS
KDI: Co-Evolution of Knowledge Networks and 21st Century Organizational Forms
Purpose:
The Knowledge and Distributed Intelligence project was designed to identify the factors that lead to the formation, maintenance and dissolution of dynamically linked knowledge networks. The core research questions were:
- How do diverse knowledge networks such as cognitive knowledge networks, organizational knowledge networks, and interorganizational network forms co-evolve over time and at multiple levels?.
- How do the depth, breadth and other properties of knowledge networks at each level impact the task performance of individuals, groups and organizations engaged in knowledge work.
Method:
A research methodology composed of four interlocked goals was employed. First, several theories from different disciplines were integrated into a coherent cross-level, dynamic framework and used to generate hypotheses representing various types of knowledge networks. These theories include transactive memory systems theory, network theory, public goods theory, and neo-information processing theory.
Second, existing computational organizational models and simulations such as Blanche, VDT, Construct and Orgahead were modified so that they embodied the integrated theories of the co-evolution of knowledge networks. These new network-based computational models were used to generate additional testable research hypotheses, and to predict organizational performance in various contexts.
Third, over-time and cross-level empirical data were collected for cognitive knowledge networks, organizational knowledge networks, and emerging network organizational forms. Newly created Web-based surveys and "communityware" interventions were administered to a large sample of Intranet and Extranet users across multiple organizations in different industries. This exceptional test bed enabled the researchers to gather the large quantities of data required to adequately test the theories and computational models.
Fourth, new cross-level, dynamic p* network statistical techniques were developed to simultaneously test the theoretical predictors of the co-evolving network forms. These models permit new forms of network analysis and provide considerable new insights into important properties of knowledge networks and individual, group, and organizational performance.
Impact:
The theory generated by this research, the computational models tested, and the statistical techniques developed have important scientific implications beyond the substantive research findings of this project. The integrated theory is applicable to human networks in other contexts. The new network-based computational models can be applied to other knowledge and network issues in society. And the statistical development of p* to multilevel, dynamic networks significantly enhances future statistical analysis of many forms of networks.
More than at any other time in human history, advances in the 21st century will be based on human knowledge. What it is, how it is represented, how it is distributed and to whom, are all pressing questions with significant economic, social, and political impact. Firms that generate and control the distribution of knowledge will have considerable competitive economic advantage over those who do not. The society that successfully distributes knowledge among its people will create the kind of informed citizenry so often advocated by philosophers yet rarely attained by governments. And the nation that can share its wealth of knowledge with the citizens of the world is the nation that others will emulate. This research contributed to the foundational understanding of the knowledge networks that can help these human advances occur.
Investigators:
Peter Monge and Janet Fulk, University of Southern California
Noshir Contractor, Andrea Hollinghead, and Stanley Wasserman, University of Illinois
Ray Leavitt, John Kunz and Francois Bar, Stanford University
Kathleen Carley, Carnegie-Mellon University;Project Sponsor:
National Science Foundation
ICICLE
Purpose:
This theoretical project extended traditional public goods theory by examining communication and information public goods. The project was designed to develop the theoretical model and refine a research design for testing that model.
Theoretical Development:
The study was guided theoretically by a model that integrated the economic theories of contribution games and the sociological framework of Marwell and Oliver (1993). The integrative model considered both individual actors’ rational motivations as well as their socially constrained and informed behavior. This extension of public goods theories to communication and information public goods incorporated two distinct features of communication forms: connectivity and communality. Connectivity is the ability of each member of the public in question to directly communicate with each other. Communality is the maintenance of a common forum through which each member of the public may contribute to and receive from a common store of information.
Research Design:
A study was designed to test multivariate, over time hypotheses that link collective action theory, communication and information systems, and collaborative work processes and effects in a field setting.
Impact:
The contributions made by this research have high theoretical significance. First, collective action premises were extended to communication and information public goods. Second, economic and sociological theories of the private provision of public goods were integrated. Third, a model was proposed for capturing the dynamic action process of developing and maintaining communication public goods.
Investigators:
Janet Fulk and Peter Monge, University of Southern California
Project Sponsor:
National Science Foundation
Purpose:
This project examined the development of connective and communal public goods through intranets and extranets. It is a direct extension of the theory development and research design produced by the ICICLE project.
Method:
The research involved investigation of development
and use of corporate intranets and extranets in a number of large and small
firms in the computer industry. A web-based survey was administered at multiple
points in time among a subset of these firms. The functionality for
communication and information sharing offered by intranet tools can potentially
provide connective and communal public goods. The growing contributions toward
such goods were tracked over time.
Investigators:
Janet Fulk and Peter Monge, University of Southern California
Project Sponsor:
National Science Foundation
