Online Social Networks for Knowledge Exchange across Distance and Diversity

Paper by Thomas Baumgartner, MEG 2008 student. This paper analyses the application of Online Social Networks to a professional context, particularly by enhancing communication and governance mechanisms accross the world. The analysis is based on Piotr Sztompka's theory of social change and his concept of social becoming, as well as on scientific literature and emprirical findings about the potentialities of Online Social Network for knowledge exchange. Finally, this paper contrast such overview with some observations of the HELP Forum, an online social network site which aims at facilitating knowledge exchange among the members of UNESCO´s Hydrology for the Environment, Life and Policy (HELP) programme.

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