Keep or Drop? The Origin and Evolution of Knowledge Relationships in Organizations

Diego Stea*, Torben Pedersen, Giuseppe Soda

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

Abstract

Network research shows that strong relationships, highly embedded relationships and brokered relationships may have different outcomes. While pros and cons are associated with each of these network structures, how this ambiguity translates into individuals’ actions of network change is unclear. Specifically, if network positions can be both beneficial and detrimental, how do individuals decide whether to maintain those positions? We develop a tie-specific model of network modification that captures the positioning in the work-related network and the level of knowledge acquired from that network for each individual in a knowledge-intensive organization. Our analysis of tie-level data identifies the level of acquired knowledge as an important disambiguating mechanism that determines how individuals manage their strong ties, embedded ties and brokered ties over time.
Original languageEnglish
JournalBritish Journal of Management
Volume33
Issue number3
Pages (from-to)1517-1534
Number of pages18
ISSN1045-3172
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2022

Bibliographical note

Published online: 30 May 2021.

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