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A Tool for IT-supported Visualization and Analysis of Virtual Communication Networks in Knowledge Communities

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Wirtschaftsinformatik 2005

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Abstract

This article introduces Virtual Communities of Practice (CoP) as a valuable and complementing instrument of Knowledge Management (KM). After discussing the role and benefits of Community Software, it is identified, that although sophisticated features are available for members, the coordinating moderators still lack special software support for their complex task of monitoring and managing the expert network structure. Based on a detailed analysis of this management role, a software tool is proposed, which automatically captures the networks of expert communities within virtual discussion groups using existing communication data. Founded on theories of Network Analysis and Information Visualization, practical examples illustrate how the communication networks can be visualized and presented in a web-enabled Management Cockpit to help a Community Moderator to increase the transparency of his Community of Practice for internal members and external stakeholders

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Technical University Berlin, Berlin

    Matthias Trier

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  1. Matthias Trier
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  1. Lehrstuhl für Wirtschaftsinformatik, insb. Industrielle Anwendungssysteme und Lehrstuhl für Wirtschaftsinformatik, insb. Systementwicklung und Datenbankanwendung, Otto-Friedrich-Universität Bamberg, Feldkirchenstraße 21, 96045, Bamberg

    Otto K. Ferstl , Elmar J. Sinz , Sven Eckert  & Tilman Isselhorst , ,  & 

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Trier, M. (2005). A Tool for IT-supported Visualization and Analysis of Virtual Communication Networks in Knowledge Communities. In: Ferstl, O.K., Sinz, E.J., Eckert, S., Isselhorst, T. (eds) Wirtschaftsinformatik 2005. Physica, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/3-7908-1624-8_50

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