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Abstract

Explains how the British Council used the theory of Social Networking Analysis (SNA) as a practical tool to support its knowledge management programme, when faced with the challenges presented by a globally dispersed workforce. Demonstrates that SNA exercises are simple to carry out and that the results can provide a focal point for discussion in improving knowledge flow — in particular of the need to balance people to people networking against document exchange. Gives details of how the SNA exercise was conducted, covering the data collection, analysis and visualization, and the discussion of the findings and resultant proposals for interventions. Highlights the key learning points that resulted and explains the benefits gained from the exercise, while also highlighting some of the limitations of the resulting social networking map.

Keywords

British Council data analysis data collection knowledge management knowledge sharing mapping networks Social Networking Analysis visualization

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