Supporting Social Capital by Utilizing Community Network Positions

Abstract

In organizations, it is increasingly about utilizing the intellectual and social capital of employees. Communities of practice (CoPs) are organized to take full advantage of the intellectual and social capital. In this study, the focus is on social capital and the aim is to improve it in CoPs by understanding individual's community network positions. A netnographic approach has been used to identify community network positions based on online social interactions of individuals. In order to gain insight into underlying factors that are related to the development of these network positions, a unique digital connection has been made with a socio-psychological survey. The results indicate increasing polarization in the CoPs. The more centrally located people are more positive about their perceived opportunities from their organisation and consider themselves in a better position to make a meaningful contribution to a CoP than those with a less central position. Thus, understanding and utilizing community network positions can make an important contribution to supporting social capital.