Online Personal Networks of Knowledge Workers in Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning

Social networking systems and other online collaborative technologies are shaping the daily habits of knowledge workers. These technologies connect knowledge workers to their online personal networks for information exchange, informal learning, and social support. From an evaluation of policies and technical infrastructures of over 50 organizations, a composite set of three profiles was created that reflect prevailing organizational stances towards the use of online personal networks. Examining these profiles by marrying the lenses of learning theory and operational necessity highlights the role of informal learning and provides insight into organizations seeking to find value-adding advantages to social media use by their employees.