Project-based organisations: overcoming lack of trust and social networks within small and medium project teams

In sustainable development projects, as well as other types of projects, knowledge transfer is important for the organisations managing the project. Nevertheless, knowledge transfer among employees does not happen automatically and it has been found that the lack of social networks and the lack of trust among employees are the major barriers to effective knowledge transfer. Social network analysis has been recognised as a very important tool for improving knowledge transfer in the project environment. Transfer of knowledge is more effective where it depends heavily on social networks and informal dialogue. Based on the theory of social capital, social capital consists of two parts: conduits network and resource exchange network. This research studies the relationships among performance, the resource exchange network (such as the knowledge network) and the relationship network (such as strong ties network, energy network, and trust network) at the individual and project levels. The aim of this chapter is to present an approach to overcoming the lack of social networks and lack of trust to improve knowledge transfer within project-based organisations. This is to be done by identifying the optimum structure of relationship networks and knowledge networks within small and medium projects. The optimal structure of the relationship networks and knowledge networks is measured using two dimensions: intra-project and inter-project. This chapter also outlines an extensive literature review in the areas of social capital, knowledge management and project management, and presents the conceptual model of the research approach

Multimedia Social Networks and E-Learning

The purpose of this chapter is to investigate Multimedia Social Networks and e-Learning, and the relevant research in these areas. Multimedia Social Networks in e-Learning is an important and evolving study area, since an understanding of the technologies involved as well as an understanding of how the students communicate in online social networks are necessary in order to accurately analyze them. The chapter begins by introducing Multimedia Social Networks and Online Communities. Following this, the key players of e-Learning in Multimedia Social Networks are presented, including a discussion of the different roles that the students take. Furthermore, Social Interaction research is presented concentrating on such important areas as factors that influence social interaction, peer support, student-centered learning, collaboration, and the effect of interaction on learning. The last section of the chapter deals with the various methods and frameworks for analyzing multimedia social networks in e-Learning communities. © 2013, IGI Global