Online Academic Networks as Knowledge Brokers: The Mediating Role of Organizational Support

Abstract

Placing online academic networks in the framework of social, cultural and institutional "deterritorialization," the current paper aims at investigating the functionality of these new forms of transnational and trans-organizational aggregations as knowledge brokers. The emphasis is laid on the influence of human collective intelligence and consistent knowledge flows on research innovation, considering the role of organizational support within higher education systems. In this respect, the research relied on a questionnaire-based survey with 140 academics from European emerging countries, the data collected being processed via a partial least squares structural equation modelling technique. Evidence was brought that, as knowledge brokers, online academic networks are systems aimed to support the access to human collective intelligence and consistent knowledge flows which exert a positive influence on research innovation, both directly and indirectly, by means of formal and informal organizational support. As facilitators of collaborative environments for individuals with specialized knowledge, competence, expertise and experience, online academic networks have set themselves up as an agora for academics worldwide and as an outlet for their acumen and literacy.

Designing decentralized knowledge management systems to effectuate individual and collective generative capacities

“…As “processes of top-down innovation become increasingly complemented and sometimes replaced by collective grassroots contributions”, designing conducive information systems as drivers of the underlying “passionate, IT-induced bottom-up processes” becomes critical (Van Osch and Avital, 2009, p. 4). Van Osch (2012, p. 67) suggests a three degrees of freedom (DOF) model (Table 1D) to characterize and identify collective generative capacity (CGC).…”

“…Ability of a distributed community to engage collectively in producing novel configurations and possibilities, in changing conceptual frames, and in challenging the normative status quo within a particular goal-driven context, CGC assists in transforming collective ideas into collective action and mass innovation (Van Osch and Avital, 2009, p. 4).…”

Interdisciplinarity: A complexity approach towards academic research

“…‘Working in teams increases the likelihood that scientists can integrate multiple and divergent perspectives and, as a result, develop new insights and solutions’ (Falk‐Krzesinski et al, 2011: 145). From a practical point of view, a team can be effective if its researchers share the same mental models and set of ethical values (Briskin et al, 2009; Katzenbach & Smith, 2003; Vătămănescu et al, 2015; Vătămănescu et al, 2016; Vătămănescu et al, 2018). The integration process between the knowledge fields should be extended to the working team.…”

Guest editorial

“…While leading scholars constantly investigate multifactor models and methods to capture the influence of systemic knowledge harnessing on organizational dynamics and further on organizations’ effectiveness, performance and innovation, decision-makers display a more intensive propensity toward harvesting, storing, generating and leveraging both existing and novel (re)sources of knowledge (Vătămănescu et al , 2016, 2018c). In this vein, adapting knowledge management systems to specific organizational contexts is liable to lead to sustainable business models, subsequently enhancing the capacity of societies, communities, organizations and individuals to wisely use and benefit from knowledge (Dominici, 2015; Vătămănescu et al , 2018b).…”