Knowledge, Networks, and Knowledge Networks: A Review and Research Agenda

A large and growing body of empirical research shows that social relationships and the networks these relationships constitute are influential in explaining the processes of knowledge creation, diffusion, absorption, and use. The authors refer to such networks as " knowledge networks. " They advance an understanding of knowledge networks at multiple levels by conducting a systematic review and analysis of empirical research published on this topic in leading management, psychology, sociology, and economics journals. The authors develop a comprehensive framework that organizes the knowledge networks literature, which they use to review extant empirical research within and across multiple disciplines and levels of analysis. They identify points of coherence and conflict in theoretical arguments and empirical results within and across levels and identify emerging themes and promising areas for future research. Ever since Drucker (1969) coined the term knowledge economy, analysts have argued the world economy is driven increasingly by the intensive production, diffusion, and use of knowledge (Powell & Snellman, 2004). Evidence suggests the economic performance of individuals, organizations, and countries is growing more dependent on knowledge 1115 Acknowledgments: This article was accepted under the editorship of Talya N. Bauer. We would like to thank Param Vir Singh for his help on an early draft of this article. We would also like to thank associate editor Jeremy Short and two anonymous reviewers for their helpful comments during the review process. The usual disclaimers apply.