Knowledge sharing and strategic capital: The importance and identification of opinion leaders

Author: Smith, Peter A.C.

Source: The Learning Organization: An International Journal, Volume 12, Number 6, 2005 , pp. 563-574(12)

Publisher: Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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Abstract:

Purpose - This article seeks to propose that the success of an organization's knowledge-sharing strategy and the magnitude of its strategic capital are critically dependent on its having the capability to visualize relationship-networks among its employees, and means to identify and leverage, as appropriate, patterns of positive or negative influence. Design/methodology/approach - The paper is based on the author's own experiences and those of other authors in the same field. Findings - There seems no evidence in the literature that programs can be mounted to deliberately develop opinion leaders by helping them acquire such meta-capabilities or assume archetypical characteristics. Originality/value - Utilization of the NVA-based approach described here will provide an enhanced real-world understanding of how the various sectors and network layers of an organization coalesce, and relate to one another, at micro and macro levels.

Keywords: Knowledge sharing; Leadership; Social networks

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/09696470510626766

Publication date: 2005-12-01