Knowledge Sharing In Communities Of Practice Based On Social Network: Comparison Of ChinaUnix And ITPUB Forum

With the rapid development of virtual communities in recent years, communities of practice(Co P), as an important part of the virtual communities, play an indispensable role in knowledge sharing. Most members of Co Ps have distinctive characteristics in specialty. The knowledge in communities is related with their occupations or majors. The main purpose of participating in the communities is searching the solutions to their questions or acquiring the required information and resource. Knowledge sharing behavior is pervasive in the communities. With the various characteristics of different Co Ps, it is certain that the knowledge sharing behavior of the members is diverse. This paper analyses and compares the features of knowledge sharing of two different Co Ps. Several operational suggestions are proposed for the managers to enhance user stickiness, improve community activity and increase knowledge sharing behavior.Firstly, we summarize the theories in relation to virtual communities and knowledge sharing, and review the existing research about knowledge sharing in virtual communities. We employ an analytical method based on social network theory. China Unix and ITPUB, two typical Co Ps, are chosen as research subjects. We adopt Locomotive software to crawl web information, including 2730 posting data from China Unix and 2123 posting data from ITPUB. Then we process these data using social network analytical software Ucinet 6.0 and statistical analysis software SPSS 17.0. The knowledge sharing structure of these two Co Ps are analyzed and compared from the perspectives of whole network, individual network and relationship between the members. Next we visualize the network of these two Co Ps by Net Draw software, comparing the structures of the networks directly. Finally, a serious of targeted and practical advices is proposed to the management on the basis of the analysis and comparison of these network data.The conclusion shows that China Unix and ITPUB both are sparse networks. There are nonreciprocal relationships between most members of these networks, knowledge spreading in the indirect way. The social ties of ITPUB members are closer and the distribution of the average valid replies to the posts is more balanced. The knowledge sharing atmosphere of the whole community is positive and active. In China Unix, the members have more characteristics of the middlemen. The pervasive existing of the structure holes brings the members more information and opportunities, which makes them play more significant roles in the process of knowledge sharing. The small-world effect of these two communities unblocks the communication channel between the members. The core groups behave actively in the communities, driving the flow of knowledge and information, promoting the cultivation of the sharing atmosphere within communities, which is pivotal to the development of the communities.