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The work presented in this thesis is a first attempt to understand the mechanism of informal knowledge collaboration among socially connected individuals in the absence of common goals and organisational mechanisms. Past research highlights the use of TMS in knowledge sharing and integration in organisational groups and project teams, however, it does not clarify how knowledge is shared and integrated in the absence of an organisational context. The results indicate that EGKNs are structured by TMS to develop information and knowledge collaboration with peers. It has shown how a form of TMS can develop in the EGKNs of professionals through informal information sharing, social interdependence, and application of interpersonal trust. The

exploration of TMS structures in groups of individuals, who are not working together to pursue common objectives in joint enterprises, is a novel contribution of this thesis.

A key contribution of this research is to offer a robust model to explain how informal knowledge cooperation is developed and sustained among socially connected individuals to improve their problem solving skills and task performance. Previously, SET and social capital have not been discussed in the context of TMS development. The model uniquely integrates SET and relational dimension of social capital (i.e. trust and trustworthiness) with the TMS theory to explain the context for informal knowledge cooperation in the EGKNs of professionals. The model provides a novel perspective by identifying the development of TMS in loosely connected groups of individuals, where task interdependence and goal congruence cannot be assumed. The model can be used to explore informal knowledge sharing and integration among individuals in different industry sectors in a variety of contexts.

The study can make useful contributions to the knowledge sharing and the KM literature. The study has highlighted the role and significance of informal knowledge sharing practices among professionals by consolidating evidence of informal information and knowledge sharing practice in different industry sectors and professional groups. Prior studies investigated informal information sharing in a few industry sectors and technology clusters and it was argued that such knowledge collaboration occurred under certain conditions. For instance, the informal information trading studies (see section 2.7.1) indicate that such information sharing practices develop under the conditions of uncertainty and the desire for collective innovation among firms in the steel mini-mill industry. The narrow focus on the antecedent conditions for such knowledge collaboration limited the scope and significance of informal personal networks of individuals and thus provided a rather simple justification

of the complex process of informal knowledge coordination and integration processes. This study has broaden the view of the antecedent conditions of informal knowledge collaboration by investigating such practices in a variety of industry sectors and professions without the existence of any pre-conditions previously which were associated with such informal information exchanges.

The testing and cross-validation of the links highlighted in the conceptual model provides new insights for knowledge sharing and TMS theory development. The link between the relational dimension of social capital (i.e. trust) and norms of reciprocity to create interdependence for TMS in socially connected individuals suggest rethinking of the various assumptions associated with the development of TMS, such as shared goals and joint tasks. Moreover, the role and contribution of informal networks (i.e. EGKN) of professionals in organisational learning and individual task performance, highlighted by this thesis, may encourage KM theorists to re-examine various KM theories (for instance, knowledge-based theory of the firm) to look beyond organisational structures and formal boundaries for the successful management of organisational knowledge for competitive success. A better understanding of the role and importance of informal networks of individuals, including EGKNs, provides a basis to further highlight the underlying theories that can help in the development of such networks and provide structures for knowledge coordination and combination in the absence of formal structures and control mechanisms.

Social networking and knowledge sharing through informal networks have been identified as key emerging themes in the knowledge management discipline into which further research is required (Argote, McEvily, & Reagans, 2003). In the context of dynamic industrial co-operation, successful inter-organisational knowledge transfer through social (informal) relations can play a key role in improving the innovation

capability of organisations. Yet there is little research into how informal knowledge occurred among knowledge intensive organisations through informal networking of employees (Allen et al., 2007). This study has addressed this gap by investigating the flow of knowledge in informal networks (i.e. EGKNs) of professionals and highlighting their significance in coordination and integration of work-specific knowledge from diverse sources (that exist within and outside the organisations). While the nature of this study is largely exploratory, it can provide some insights into the transfer of knowledge between firms through the development of TMS based structures in the informal networks (EGKNs) of individuals.

Even though TMS studies have provided structures for knowledge integration and coordination in organisational groups and project teams, past research is scant to clarify how TMS could develop and work in the absence of task interdependence and incongruent goals. Previously, there was only one study that investigated the application of TMS among cross organisational groups of socially connected individuals. Jarvenappa and Majchrzak’s (2008) study proposed three constructs to suggest the development of TMS in the absence of organisational context (i.e. task interdependence and incongruent goals), they were: 1) dialogic practices (semi-structures that describe rules of conversation), 2) clarity of knowledge ownership (i.e. who owns the knowledge: ‘individual’ or the ‘organisation’), and 3) knowledge dissemination protocols (what to share and what not to share). The present study may further the work of Jarvenappa and Majchrzak (2008) by adding new constructs (i.e. informal information sharing, norms of reciprocity, and interpersonal trust) to foster development of TMS in EGKNs of professionals. Nevertheless, the model can be extended by adding more constructs and links to represent organisational and cultural barriers or enablers

that may support or inhibit informal knowledge cooperation among socially connected individuals.

TMS studies have demonstrated a positive relationship between TMS and group effectiveness in organisational groups and teams who hold joint responsibilities and work collaboratively to complete tasks. While investigating the role of TMS in performance, past studies were restricted to team members and organisational groups. This might not reflect the process of knowledge coordination and integration among socially connected individuals. This study has broadened the scope of TMS by studying it in informal networks of individuals in the absence of task interdependence and common organisational goals. It provides empirical evidence to claim that TMS can develop and work in loosely connected groups of individuals (i.e. EGKNs), who are not supposed to pursue common organisational goals and where task interdependence cannot be assumed. The leaders and managers of the knowledge intensive organisations can benefit by acknowledging the importance of informal networks of their employees and thinking of new ways to utilise these connections for improving the overall knowledge-base and productivity of their organisations.

Most of the knowledge sharing literature deals with the motivators, enablers, antecedent conditions, and success factors for knowledge collaboration through formal/organisational structures and mechanisms. This study seeks to highlight the value of informal collaboration through informal means and extra-organisational channels. It can contribute to the small body of the existing literature on knowledge sharing, social or informal networking, and TMS to develop an understanding by both academics and practitioners, in the following ways:

 Theoretically, it can provide some insights into the process of knowledge

networks of professionals, thus allowing future research to build upon the results of this study.

 Empirically, it adds to the limited studies done with regards to informal

knowledge collaboration in the EGKNs of professionals, especially the role of TMS based structures in supporting such collaboration.

 Practically, it attempts to improve managerial understanding about the role and

significance of informal knowledge sharing through personal networking of employees. This increase in understanding may bring some organisational support to the employees who are engaged in informal knowledge sharing practices and striving to improve their performance as well as adding value to their organisations.