Abstract
Geographically isolated rural small and medium enterprises (SMEs) face multiple
challenges in an increasingly digitised, and networked business environment. Online
Social Networking (OSN) tools and technologies may bridge time and distance gaps,
complementing face-to-face knowledge sharing and the development of Social Capital
(SC). We followed a qualitative case study approach to identify how rural Australian
SMEs extend their knowledge sharing activities and SC through the use of OSNs. Our
findings suggest that rural SMEs’ adoption and use of OSNs is a three-stage journey
starting with no OSN use, followed by marginal OSN use, and ultimately active OSN
use. We highlight that SC development through OSNs require: i) a willingness to
extend face-to-face knowledge sharing in SNs to OSNs, ii) a planned OSN
communication and networking strategy, iii) introduction of multiple OSN channels to
interact with customers/clients and stakeholders, and iv) guarding against the
unbounded sharing of competitive knowledge in OSNs.
challenges in an increasingly digitised, and networked business environment. Online
Social Networking (OSN) tools and technologies may bridge time and distance gaps,
complementing face-to-face knowledge sharing and the development of Social Capital
(SC). We followed a qualitative case study approach to identify how rural Australian
SMEs extend their knowledge sharing activities and SC through the use of OSNs. Our
findings suggest that rural SMEs’ adoption and use of OSNs is a three-stage journey
starting with no OSN use, followed by marginal OSN use, and ultimately active OSN
use. We highlight that SC development through OSNs require: i) a willingness to
extend face-to-face knowledge sharing in SNs to OSNs, ii) a planned OSN
communication and networking strategy, iii) introduction of multiple OSN channels to
interact with customers/clients and stakeholders, and iv) guarding against the
unbounded sharing of competitive knowledge in OSNs.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | ICIS 2017 PROCEEDINGS |
| Publisher | AIS Electronic Library |
| Number of pages | 18 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9780996683159 |
| Publication status | Published - 10 Dec 2017 |
| Externally published | Yes |
| Event | The 38th International Conference on Information Systems: Transforming Society with Digital Innovation - South Korea, Seoul, Korea, Republic of Duration: 10 Dec 2017 → 13 Jan 2019 |
Conference
| Conference | The 38th International Conference on Information Systems |
|---|---|
| Abbreviated title | ICIS 2017 |
| Country/Territory | Korea, Republic of |
| City | Seoul |
| Period | 10/12/17 → 13/01/19 |
Keywords
- social capital, social media, knowledge sharing