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Dimensions of User Behavior in Enterprise Social Networks

In: Social Knowledge Management in Action

Author

Listed:
  • Janine Hacker

    (Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg)

  • Rebecca Bernsmann

    (Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg)

  • Kai Riemer

    (University of Sydney)

Abstract

The analysis of user behavior in online communities is a prominent topic in social media research. As such, user behavior is often analyzed using a set of metrics that describe the user’s participation behavior and structural position in the social network. Yet, for Enterprise Social Networks (ESN), i.e. internally used social networking platforms, such research is lacking. While prior studies have found users to engage in knowledge-intensive interactions, e.g. discussing and developing new ideas, little is known about how to conceptualize and measure ESN user behavior. Being able to measure user behavior, however, is an important prerequisite for the identification of knowledge management-related roles in the context of ESN. Against this backdrop, in this chapter we derive 30 metrics that characterize the participation behavior, message content and structural position of ESN users of an Australian professional services firm. Based on a factor analysis, we identify nine distinct dimensions of ESN user behavior: Social dispersion, engagement, focus, information sharing, discussing, information seeking, response time, receiving information, and tagging. With this research we contribute to the literature by transferring concepts and methods of organization science and social media research to an ESN context. Further, our approach forms the basis for the identification of different types of knowledge actors, which might ultimately help to improve organizational knowledge transparency.

Suggested Citation

  • Janine Hacker & Rebecca Bernsmann & Kai Riemer, 2017. "Dimensions of User Behavior in Enterprise Social Networks," Knowledge Management and Organizational Learning, in: Remko Helms & Jocelyn Cranefield & Jurriaan van Reijsen (ed.), Social Knowledge Management in Action, pages 125-146, Springer.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:kmochp:978-3-319-45133-6_7
    DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-45133-6_7
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    Cited by:

    1. Chatterjee, Sheshadri & Chaudhuri, Ranjan & Vrontis, Demetris & Piccolo, Rossana, 2021. "Enterprise social network for knowledge sharing in MNCs: Examining the role of knowledge contributors and knowledge seekers for cross-country collaboration," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 27(1).
    2. Weiwei Yan & Qian Liu & Ruoyu Chen & Shengwei Yi, 2020. "Social networks formed by follower–followee relationships on academic social networking sites: an examination of corporation users," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 124(3), pages 2083-2101, September.

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