EJIM Special Issue on Knowledge and Learning Networks in Organisations

Posted on by Miha Škerlavaj

Special issue of the European Journal of International Management, co-edited by my colleague ass.prof.dr. Robert Kaše and myself was just published. Below are links to the most interesting papers on this hot topic. Enjoy the reading! 

European Journal of International Management (EJIM), Volume 4 – Issue 6 – 2010

Special Issue on Knowledge and Learning Networks in Organisations
Guest Editors: Robert Kaše and Miha Škerlavaj

   Table of Contents PDF Editorial  Introduction  
Pages Title and authors
556 – 575 Dynamic information retrieval and allocation flows in project teams with discontinuous membership
Michelle Shumate, Rahinah Ibrahim, Raymond Levitt
DOI: 10.1504/EJIM.2010.035589
576 – 601 Understanding the structures, antecedents and outcomes of organisational learning and knowledge transfer: a multi-theoretical and multilevel network analysis
Chunke Su, Meikuan Huang, Noshir Contractor
DOI: 10.1504/EJIM.2010.035590
602 – 620 Inter-organisational collective learning: the case of biotechnology in France
Alvaro Pina-Stranger, Emmanuel Lazega
DOI: 10.1504/EJIM.2010.035591
621 – 643 The elephant in the room: the applicability of axiomatic approaches to network learning and organisational knowledge
John H. Powell, Juani Swart
DOI: 10.1504/EJIM.2010.035592

Patterns and structures of intra-organizational learning networks within a knowledge-intensive organization

Posted on by Miha Škerlavaj

Another publication of ours available on-line in a top-notch academic journal:

Škerlavaj, M., Dimovski, V., Desouza, K.C. (In press): Patterns and structures of intra-organizational learning networks within a knowledge-intensive organization. Journal of Information Technology, doi: 10.1057/jit.2010.3

Abstract

This paper employs the network perspective to study patterns and structures of intra-organizational learning networks. The theoretical background draws from cognitive theories, theories of homophily and proximity, theories of social exchange, the theory of generalized exchange, small-worlds theory, and social process theory. The levels of analysis applied are actor, dyadic, triadic, and global. Confirmatory social network analysis (exponential random graph modeling) was employed for data analysis. Findings suggest: (1) central actors in the learning network are experienced and hold senior positions in the organizational hierarchy; (2) evidence of homophily (in terms of gender, tenure, and hierarchical level relations) and proximity (in terms of geographical and departmental distances) in learning relationships; (3) learning relationships are non-reciprocal; and (4) transitivity and high local clustering with sparse inter-cluster ties are significant for intra-organizational learning networks.

Keywords:

organizational learning; social network analysis; centrality; homophily and proximity; reciprocity; transitivity

Journal Citation Reports®, 2008 Impact Factor: 1.966*, Rank: 24/99 – Computer Science, Information Systems, 10/61 – Information Science & Library Science, 27/89 – Management

Exploratory study of organizational learning network within a Spanish high-tech company

Posted on by Miha Škerlavaj

efrizbornikMy research efforts related to studying organizational learning networks are becoming more and more international. This time we published a paper together with Spanish colleagues from University of Castilla-La Mancha. The paper citation is Sánchez de Pablo González del Campo, Jesús David; Guadamillas Gómez, Fátima; Dimovski, Vlado; Škerlavaj, Miha (2008): Exploratory Study of Organizational Learning Network in a Spanish High-tech Company, Proceedings of Rijeka Faculty of Economics – Journal of Economics and Business, 26(2): 257-277.

Here is the abstract:

The paper presents an exploratory study of the intra-organizational learning network in the context of a Spanish high-tech company. It expands the generalization of the network perspective to intra-organizational learning. Based on an exploratory social network analysis, we formulated four propositions that will be developed and contrasted in a later confirmatory study. First, the exploratory analysis demonstrates the importance of industry experience and tenure within the company as a common denominator of most central employees within learning networks. Second, similarity in terms of experiential level breeds mutual learning. Third, complementarity of knowledge is important for the formation of learning ties. Fourth, physical proximity creates opportunities to learn. Future research will need to test these four propositions in a confirmatory study.

Proceedings of Rijeka Faculty of Economics – Journal of Economics and Business is a new SSCI ranked journal (indexed since July, 31 2008).

European Journal of International Management Special Issue on Knowledge and Learning Networks

Posted on by Miha Škerlavaj

We are inviting authors to submitt their manusripts to be considered for a special issue “Knowledge and Learning Networks in Organizations” in European Journal of International Management (EJIM), which is listed among the ISI journals (SSCI). With the special issue “Knowledge and Learning Networks in organizations” we aim to bring together innovative empirical research and conceptual work with strong implications for producing further insight about knowledge and learning networks in organizations. Multilevel research and research simultaneously using multiple theoretical backgrounds are especially welcome.

Submissions are encouraged to be related but are not restricted to the following topics:

•     The social network perspective to organizational learning and knowledge transfer

•     The effect of contextual factors (e.g., organizational structure, leadership, organizational culture, HRM practices, work design) on organizational learning and knowledge networks

•     Effects of homophily and physical proximity in organizational learning and knowledge networks

•     Dynamics of knowledge and learning networks

•     Knowledge and learning networks and organizational performance

•     Other consequences of learning and knowledge networks (e.g., innovation)

•     Interaction between knowledge and learning networks and other intra- and inter- organizational networks

The authors submitting their work for this special issue should follow instructions that apply for regular EJIM papers. Please note that your paper should be between 5000-7000 words including references. All submitted papers will go through another round of double-blind reviewing process. The special issue is limited to a maximum of 7 papers and is scheduled for early 2010. Full paper submissions for the special issue should be sent directly to robert.kase@ef.uni-lj.si or miha.skerlavaj@ef.uni-lj.si by October 31 2008. However, we would appreciate if you could communicate your intention to submit your work as soon as possible.

Trimo Research Award

Posted on by Miha Škerlavaj

Yesterday, there was a splendid event called 7th Trimo Research Awards, which took place in a magnificent surrounding of Božidar Jakac gallery at Kostanjevica na Krki. And I was part of it, as one of the awardees for The Best PhD dissertation. This is a honour and recognition for me to be able to blend modern scientific findings with practical, down-to-earth situations that companies such are facing. Trimo is in many cases an example of good practices and is rigthly considered to be a learning organization. Desire to grow and develop constantly is deep-rooted in their ‘DNA’ – organizational culture. And they know what it means to set bridges among R&D institutions world-wide and their business. Together we are better, stronger, and faster.

      

Comparison of two learning networks published in JASIST

Posted on by Miha Škerlavaj

I am proud to announce yet another paper that was accepted for publication in top-notch journal: Pahor, M., Škerlavaj, M., Dimovski, V. (Forthcoming): Evidence Supporting the Network Perspective on Organizational Learning. Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology. Here is the abstract:

The paper provides evidence for the network perspective to organizational learning on the cases of two companies different in size, industry and culture. It builds on an earlier paper that introduced the network perspective to organizational learning and proposes some common traits of the learning networks and tests them with the help of the tools of social network analysis. We find support for the network perspective to organizational learning. There are some traits of the learning network that are common to very different companies, like the fact that learning occurs mainly in clusters. Some other traits depend much on the organizational culture. 

JASIST is an international, SCI ranked peer-reviewed journal (2006 IF 1.555) which serves as a forum for new research in information transfer and communication processes in general, and in the context of recorded knowledge in particular. Concerns include the generation, recording, distribution, storage, representation, retrieval, and dissemination of information, as well as its social impact and management of information agencies (JASIST, 2008).

Knowledge and learning networks (KLeaN) Google Group

Posted on by Miha Škerlavaj

As a result of most productive discussions at EURAM track on knowledge and learning networks, we’ve established a Google group. It has such a lovely name (KLean – Knowledge and learning networks) that it would be shame to miss it. It’s aim is to join researchers and practitioners which share common interest of understanding structural, relational, and cognitive aspects of learning and knowledge networks. The idea is to keep everybody updated with research and publication opportunities, collaboration proposals, and publications of our group members. Wellcome to join! Just drop me an e-mail at klean@googlegroups.com if you want to be invited.

Google Groups
EURAM Knowledge and learning networks (KLeaN)
Visit the group KLeaN

Learning and knowledge track @ EURAM conference

Posted on by Miha Škerlavaj

This year, my school is co-hosting European Academy of Management Conference (EURAM). As its’ integral part, this years hit was also our track Intra-organizational Knowledge and Learning Networks, where we are hosting 11 high quality papers that ‘survived’ rigorous double-blind review process.  

Learning network paper in ILE

Posted on by Miha Škerlavaj

I am pleased to announce that we’ve just got the note from the Interactive Learning Envinonments editors that the paper Škerlavaj, M., Dimovski, V., Pahor, M., Mrvar, A.: Intra-organizational Learning Networks within Knowledge-intensive Learning Environments is accepted for publication. Below is the abstract, while the full text will be available on-line End of July.

Organizational learning contributes to organizational performance. One research question that remains inadequately explained is how learning occurs. Can it be explained by using the acquisition or participation perspectives? Or is there a need for some other view? This paper suggests that learning networks form an important learning environment for knowledge transfer. A case study of a software development and business consulting company is used to test the network perspective on intra-organizational learning. Both exploratory and confirmatory social network analysis of a learning network within the IT company are used to establish learning patterns within organizations. Learning needs to be seen as both participation in communities of practice and a flow of previously acquired knowledge. 

ILE is an international, peer reviewed  SSCI ranked journal that publishes “articles on all aspects of the design and use of interactive learning environments in the broadest sense, encompassing environments that support individual learners through to environments that support collaboration amongst groups of learners or co-workers (ILE, 2008)”.   

EURAM track on knowledge networks

Posted on by Miha Škerlavaj

May 2008 is still far, nevertheless…I invite all the researchers interested in social networks, knowledge management and organizational learning to submit their papers to European Academy of Management (EURAM) Conference where I co-host the track Intra-organizational knowledge and learning networks: In search for empirical research (together with prof.dr. Emmanuel Lazega, University of Paris IX and mag. Robert Kaše, University of Ljubljana).