How employees gain meta-knowledge using enterprise social networks: A validation and extension of communication visibility theory

Abstract

Employees’ knowledge about their coworkers’ knowledge (i.e., meta-knowledge) is central for organizations to create competitive advantages. According to Communication Visibility Theory, enterprise social networks (ESNs) have the potential to foster long-term formation of meta-knowledge. However, research about this potential is still limited. Using a quantitative study, we improve the understanding of how ESNs facilitate the development of meta-knowledge in three ways: we (1) show that the creation of meta-knowledge through ESNs works across contexts, (2) find that ESNs can lead to rather immediate increases in meta-knowledge, and (3) reveal that managers can gain more meta-knowledge using ESNs than can non-managers.