Title: Use of social networking sites for knowledge exchange

Authors: Oriol Miralbell

Addresses: Faculty of the Business and Economy Department, Open University of Catalonia, Av. Tibidabo, 39-43, 08035 Barcelona, Spain

Abstract: This research wants to identify the factors that impact the use of the social networking sites for knowledge exchange based on the open and sparse structure of virtual communities. Thus, we have adapted the technology adoption model (TAM) to evaluate the perceptions of the members of virtual communities of professionals hosted inside social networking sites regarding their autonomy, the openness of the sites, the diversity of the members of the networks and the interactivity when using these sites. Social networking sites are beneficial for knowledge exchange since their openness influences diversity of members and ideas. Usefulness increases when users feel to have more autonomy in managing their activity in the sites. Autonomy and diversity of the members are key factors because they influence the level of interactivity inside the network.

Keywords: social networking sites; SNS; open networks; usage behaviour; knowledge exchange; connective networks; technology adoption model; TAM; web based communities; virtual communities; online communities; information sharing.

DOI: 10.1504/IJWBC.2015.067086

International Journal of Web Based Communities, 2015 Vol.11 No.1, pp.42 - 56

Published online: 26 Jan 2015 *

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