Abstract:
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to propose that there is not one ideal network structure of knowledge flow, but many, and that the network structures of knowledge flows between employees in teams are task-related. Design/methodology/approach – Ideal knowledge network structures in teams are examined on the basis of the literature. A case study of a well-established team, presented with social network analysis methods, reveals the different structures of knowledge flow. Findings – According to the case study, it is shown that the network structures of knowledge flow are different in different tasks. It is suggested on the basis of theory that the ideal knowledge network structures are hierarchical for routine tasks, core-peripheral for development tasks and ego-centric for idea generation tasks. Research limitations/implications – The research design presented in this paper should be applied to more cases to ascertain its validity. Practical implications – This paper provides means for understanding, assessing and managing knowledge networks in teams. Originality/value – Flows of knowledge have been found to be an important area in network research. This paper shows how they are structured according to the nature of the tasks.

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