Ziebro, Monique C. (2013) Information-seeking and perceptions of expertise in an electronic network of practice. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.

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Abstract

This study assesses information-seeking and perceptions of expertise in
Electronic Networks of Practice (ENoPs). ENoPs are a particular type of online
community focused on sharing information related to a specific work-related
profession (Wasko and Faraj, 2005). To date, there has been little empirical work on
the dynamics of information exchange in ENoPs (Whelan, 2007). The little we do
know is based on face-to-face communities, which cannot be generalized to online
interactions due to changes in size, purpose, and method of communication.
Understanding the type and perceived value of information is an important line of
theoretical inquiry because it has the potential to identify the specific informational
needs these communities fulfil and the types of people most likely to fulfil them.
This research was conducted in an ENoP focusing on the exchange of
information related to the practice of engineering. The community studied, Eng-
Tips, is a thriving network focusing on the practice of engineering that has produced
over 150,000 posts, and is comprised of engineers from twenty-one different
specialties. Interactions take place solely through the use of virtually mediated
technology, and focus primarily on practice-related issues. The format of interaction
is typically based on a query and a stream of ensuing replies. Data were collected
through metrics and a coding procedure that allowed me to identify the most
common queries in the ENoP.
My data revealed queries in the ENoP tended to focus on obtaining solutions,
meta-knowledge, or validation. The high emphasis on validation was similar to that
found in face-to-face friendship networks, and was contrary to Cross et al.’s (2001)
anticipated results, most likely due to the presence of anonymity. I also found that
experience of interacting with multiple specialties (i.e. interactional expertise) was
positively associated with perceived expertise. Finally, I discovered that replies,
giving out nominations, and frequently logins were positively associated with the
number of expert nominations one received in the community.
This research makes contributions to both theory and practice. I contribute to
theory on information-seeking by extending Cross et al.’s (2001) research to the
online environment, and articulating the type of informational benefits sought in the
ENoP. I contribute to theory on expertise by exploring the characteristics associated
with perceived expertise, and exploring the reasons why interactional expertise may
be particularly valued in ENoPs. My work in this area reveals that—in the context
of the ENoP studied—a ‘common practice’ is highly fragmented and loosely knit,
further distinguishing this entity as a unique organizational form. My findings in
this area call into question the validity of a practice-based approach for examining
these entities, and for these reasons, I suggest they may be better conceptualized as
Electronic Networks of Discourse. Practical ramifications focus on describing the
type of information members want to obtain from their involvement in the
community, which may benefit members, organizations, and managers of the ENoP.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD28 Management. Industrial Management Z Bibliography. Library Science. Information Resources > ZA Information resources > ZA4050 Electronic information resources
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Communities of practice, Knowledge management, Expertise, Information behavior, Organizational learning
Official Date:	April 2013
Dates:	Date Event April 2013 Submitted
Institution:	University of Warwick
Theses Department:	Warwick Business School
Thesis Type:	PhD
Publication Status:	Unpublished
Supervisor(s)/Advisor:	Swan, Jacky; Scarbrough, Harry, 1955-
Sponsors:	University of Warwick
Extent:	218 leaves : charts.
Language:	eng

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