Pottery décor as networks on the Middle Niger, Mali

Gender diversity in knowledge exchange networks can be a source of innovation in organizations as it provides new insights that improve the creative process. Diversity literature provides enough evidence of the importance of utilizing mixed-gender teams to gain innovative outcomes. However, in knowledge management literature, gender diversity has been scarcely addressed. Knowledge management literature happens to be dominant, and there is a need to study the impact of gender diversity in knowledge creation processes and networks. This theoretical paper links the diversity literature to knowledge management literature and provides new understandings by considering gender as an important factor in the knowledge creation process. This paper contributes to the literature by emphasizing on exploring knowledge exchange relationships through a feminist perspective. Feminist perspective is also missing in knowledge management literature; thus, by making gender an important consideration in the socialization phase of the knowledge creation process, this paper provides a diverse perspective in knowledge management literature. Furthermore, this paper presents a conceptual model of gender-diverse knowledge exchange networks that shows the inclusion of women in knowledge exchange networks enhances the effectiveness of teams. Women are being neglected when it comes to inclusion in knowledge creating networks because of in-group bias against men and the stereotypical perception of women’s lack of technical and innovative knowledge. This paper sheds light on the importance of women's inclusion in knowledge exchange networks by emphasizing the vitality of diversity in creating knowledge and innovation in collaborative networks and teams in organizations.

This chapter discusses the consistent omission of early and medieval Africa in world and imperial histories. West Africa is certainly left out of the narrative of early human endeavor, and only tends to be mentioned, with brevity, in conjunction with European imperialism. Nevertheless, substantial archaeological work has been underway in West Africa for decades, particularly in the middle Niger valley. For it was during the period of the Shang, Chou, Shin, Han, and Tang dynasties of China, the Vedic period in India, and the Mayans in central America, that another urban-based civilization flourished in West Africa, in the Middle Niger region. The chapter then considers the history of civilization in the Middle Niger, which is a study of the multiple ways in which communities continually adjust to and engage with one of the more “variable and unpredictable” environments in the world. Indeed, the story of the Middle Niger connects directly with the celestial preoccupations of big history in that much of its climatic variability is explained by slight alterations in solar radiation, produced in turn by the intricacies of the sun's cyclical patterns.

This study investigates the differences in structural patterns of intra-and inter-team knowledge exchange networks in multiteam construction projects and explores the cross-levelinteraction between knowledge exchange networks and interorganizational formal networks, as represented by networks of contractual and task interdependence relationships. An empirical study is developed by using multiple exponential random graph models. The findings show that a discrepancy between intra- and inter-team knowledge exchange structural patterns arises with respect to reciprocity. Interorganizational task interdependencies are found to align with cross-team knowledge exchange. Significant homophily in work experience is found in cross-team knowledge exchange. Interorganizational task interdependence promotes cross-team knowledge exchange among project members with heterogeneous expertise. This study expands the research on project-based multiteam system knowledge exchange networks from a multi-level network analysis perspective.

Purpose: Knowledge exchange networks are critical to farmer success and help reduce barriers to entry and growth for new farmers. This study explores informal and formal knowledge exchange networks among two growing industries in Maine: maple syrup production and beekeeping. We increase understanding of the mechanisms through which knowledge exchange occurs by applying adult learning theory. Design/Methodology/Approach: We conducted 46 semi-structured interviews with small- and medium-sized maple syrup producers and beekeepers in Maine. Findings: Maple producers and beekeepers relied on both informal and formal knowledge exchange facilitated by producer associations where the following adult learning theory principles flourished: (1) orientation to learning, (2) prior experience of the learner, and (3) self-concept of the learner. These maple producers and beekeepers also found great value in the community and friendships created through these networks fostering greater expansion within each industry. Practical Implications: Agricultural extension should institute instructional design that features demonstrations, experiential learning, and sharing of fellow producer experiences to help bolster adult learning theory principles. Theoretical Implications: Adult learning theory provides a useful framework in which to explore learning and knowledge exchange among distinct agricultural production practices to help inform future education and training initiatives. Originality/Value: This study is the first to comparatively and specifically examine knowledge exchange among maple producers and beekeepers with application of adult learning theory. This study provides a framework in which to evaluate knowledge exchange among other farming enterprises within an agricultural context to identify effective, meaningful learning mechanisms.

The use of social network theories dates back to 1930s with the pioneering works of psycho-sociologist Moreno. With the advent of advanced technologies, there has been an explosion of its applications to various disciplines. The study applies social network theory to analyze agricultural knowledge exchange and decision-making network of farm women. The analysis identifies farm women who occupy central and strategic positions and acts as opinion leaders in the network. The study was carried out in the Himalayan regions of Uttarakhand, India. Descriptive research design and multi-stage sampling were adopted. A total of 298 respondents were selected purposively from the two villages of Uttarakhand. Data were collected through survey sociometric method. UCINET and SPSS were used for data analysis and interpretations. The findings showed that high in degree and Out degree centrality was recorded by 24 (12, 12) and 48 (26, 22) farm women in the two study villages. Total 24 opinion leaders were identified within the agricultural knowledge exchange and decision-making network. Their extent of opinion leadership was influenced by age, marital status, farming experience, socio-economic status, innovativeness, achievement motivation, decision making ability, risk preference, economic motivation, information seeking behaviour, cosmopoliteness and social participation.

Contents: Foreword, Christopher Clapham Preface, Timothy M. Shaw Introduction: the new regionalism in Africa, J. Andrew Grant and Fredrik SA derbaum. Part I: Regional Perspectives: New regionalism as an alias: regionalization through trans-state networks, Daniel C. Bach Weak states, strong regimes: towards a 'Real' political economy of African regionalization, Morten BA,A[yen]s New regionalism, states and non-state actors in West Africa, Okechukwu C. Iheduru Regional development-environment discourses, policies and practices in post-Apartheid Southern Africa, David Simon. Part II: National Perspectives: Deteriorating human security in Kenya: domestic, regional and global dimensions, Stephen Brown New regionalism and conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo: networks of plunder and networks for peace, Sandra J. MacLean New regionalism and micro-regionalism in South-Western Africa: the oil-rich enclave of Cabinda, J. Andrew Grant Angola after Savimbi: new hope for the South/Central region? J. ZA e Wilson and Arsene Bwenge Mwaka Cold War regional hangovers in Southern Africa: Zambian development strategies, SADC and the new regionalism approach, Eve Sandberg and Naomi Sabel. Part III: Conclusions: Regionalization, the state and human security/development in Africa: thoughts for advancing the debate, Kevin C. Dunn and James J. Hentz The future of new regionalism in Africa: regional governance, human security/development and beyond, Timothy M. Shaw, Fredrik SA derbaum, Julius E. Nyang'oro and J. Andrew Grant Bibliography Index.

Web-based communities are a real example for self organisation of people. While everybody talks about Web 2.0 applications, the Enterprise 2.0 discussion runs very slowly due to several social and cultural aspects as well as the contradiction between communities without hierarchies versus well-structured companies. By analysing common things and differences of private and business communities, basic mechanisms are discovered. With SPREE – the knowledge exchange network – an Enterprise 2.0 application created by Deutsche Telekom Laboratories is investigated during the three phases of its pilot trial in the know ledge domain of recommendation. Strengths and weaknesses are analysed and recommendation, how to accompany the introduction of a thematic specific social network is given. By founding a spin-off both, the enterprise and the community track of SPREE will be continued.

Multi-stakeholder platforms (MSPs) are seen as a promising vehicle to achieve agricultural development impacts. By increasing collaboration, exchange of knowledge and influence mediation among farmers, researchers and other stakeholders, MSPs supposedly enhance their ‘capacity to innovate’ and contribute to the ‘scaling of innovations’. The objective of this paper is to explore the capacity to innovate and scaling potential of three MSPs in Burundi, Rwanda and the South Kivu province located in the eastern part of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In order to do this, we apply Social Network Analysis and Exponential Random Graph Modelling (ERGM) to investigate the structural properties of the collaborative, knowledge exchange and influence networks of these MSPs and compared them against value propositions derived from the innovation network literature. Results demonstrate a number of mismatches between collaboration, knowledge exchange and influence networks for effective innovation and scaling processes in all three countries: NGOs and private sector are respectively over- and under-represented in the MSP networks. Linkages between local and higher levels are weak, and influential organisations (e.g., high-level government actors) are often not part of the MSP or are not actively linked to by other organisations. Organisations with a central position in the knowledge network are more sought out for collaboration. The scaling of innovations is primarily between the same type of organisations across different administrative levels, but not between different types of organisations. The results illustrate the potential of Social Network Analysis and ERGMs to identify the strengths and limitations of MSPs in terms of achieving development impacts.

Background: Industrial clusters remain at the initial stage in the sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) region. They produce low-quality and similar products that are poorly innovative and therefore unable to expand. Ethnicity is a characteristic imprint of SSA clusters. However, little research has been done on SSA industrial clusters being able to explore ethnic effects on cluster development, in particular the cases where ethnic majority is over-presented.Aim: This study aims to investigate the effect of ethnic network between ethnic majority and minority on knowledge exchange in clustered micro and small-scale enterprises in Africa.Setting: This study was undertaken in the furniture cluster located in Arusha City, Tanzania, which has striking features in its ethnic composition of a dominant ethnic majority and a variety of ethnic minorities. A census survey on the 234 clustered furniture enterprises was conducted to collect comprehensive information on production skill and ethnicity at individual level.Methods: Probit and ordered probit models are employed to analyse the difference in manufacturing skill between the ethnic majority and minority as well as the inter-ethnic and intra-ethnic enterprises.Results: Results show a positive and significant effect of the strength of the ethnic networks in having advanced skills in furniture production; particularly evident is the skill that is governed by enterprises’ own capability rather than production facilities. Comparing technological skills between the inter-ethnic enterprises and intra-ethnic enterprises, the former are more likely to share similar manufacturing technology with each other than the latter. While individuals in the ethnic majority resemble uniform manufacturing techniques in higher-priced furniture work, the ethnic minority exhibits a similarity in producing common goods.Conclusion: Ethnic network is a predictor of technological skills of clustered producers in the SSA region. However, the ethnic network effect can only influence the skills that are apparently observed and barely affects capital-intensive technology. These findings indicate the significance of the ethnic networking effect in knowledge exchange in Africa, but remain ineffective in overcoming capital constraints.

For agriculture to become more sustainable, farming needs to incorporate biodiversity conservation practices. However, farmers must largely choose between agricultural production and biodiversity conservation in their land‐use decisions, and accordingly, seek knowledge and support for either of these goals. A better understanding of knowledge exchange and support in farmers' social networks could highlight how biodiversity conservation may be integrated with agricultural production. We conducted structured interviews with 70 farmers in northwest Saxony, Germany. We asked farmers about basic farm characteristics, their participation in agri‐environmental schemes (AES), with whom they exchange knowledge and how those contacts support them in reaching their agricultural or conservation goals. This information was used for social network analysis, including network autocorrelation modelling. We found that the knowledge‐exchange network related to biodiversity conservation was centralized, with non‐profit organizations as central knowledge providers. The knowledge exchange network related to agricultural production was decentral, with private companies having a central role. The farmers' support networks for achieving conservation and agricultural goals were largely overlapping. Peer support was the most important mechanism for farmers to participate in AES. Participation of large‐scale farmers was associated with the level of AES participation of other large‐scale farmers in their network. However, large‐scale farmers did not influence small‐scale farmers. Arable‐crop farmers maintained ties to large, private companies while participating in the fewest AES. If non‐profit organizations engaged in advice for agricultural production, they might reach arable‐crop farmers. Large‐scale farmers who have comprehensive experience in both agricultural production and participation in AES play a central role in both knowledge exchange and support networks. Together with non‐profit organizations, they might be important for breaking down the dichotomy of production and conservation, if they can more widely communicate their contextual, experiential knowledge of implementing AES. Policy implications . Public and non‐profit advisory services should be empowered in their ability to provide both agronomic and biodiversity conservation information to support a less dichotomous land use. Promoting mutual support among farmers may effectively facilitate AES participation. Large‐scale farmers should be encouraged to share knowledge regarding biodiversity conservation, particularly with small‐scale farmers who operate within different economic contexts. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

The primary aim of the roundtable was to identify priority areas for future research, particularly in the European context; to identify deficiencies in knowledge; and to address the goals and strategies for effective cooperative research. The following key questions arise consistently: Are there special features of the epidemiology of the disease in cool climates ? What is the relative importance of tuber-borne, soil-borne, water-borne infection and weed hosts in different regions ? What are the best sampling and detection strategies and where are the deficiencies in current methodology ? How do we monitor and survey the disease ? How do we contain infested areas ? How do we achieve better communication and collaboration; ideally, a network for exchange of knowledge, information and material ?

Only a few cases of systematic empirical research have been reported investigating collaborative knowledge production in China and its implications for China’s national and regional innovation system. Using Chinese patent data in the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), this paper examines the geographic variations in intraregional, inter-regional and international knowledge exchanges of China from 1985 to 2007. Degree centrality reveals that intraregional and international collaborations are the main channels of knowledge exchange for the provinces and municipalities of China while inter-regional knowledge exchange is relatively weak. Besides, over the two decades, the knowledge exchange network has been expanding (connecting an increasing number of provinces and countries), becoming more decentralized (increasing number of hubs) and more cohesive (more linkages). A blockmodel analysis further reveals that the inter-regional network of China begins to show characteristics of a core-periphery structure. The most active knowledge exchange occurs between members of the core block composed by the most advanced provinces while the members of the peripheral block from less favored regions have few or no local and extra-local knowledge exchange. Building a strong knowledge transfer network would much improve the innovation capacities in less favored regions and help them break out from their “locked-in” development trajectories.

‘A constant and unreserved correspondence’: networks of knowledge exchange

This paper develops a typology of European regions according to their role in knowledge exchange networks. Knowledge flows are critical economic assets, but it is essential to qualify as well as to quantify them to understand how they reflect regional inequalities and regional roles in networks. Using Horizon 2020 partnership data, we perform a cluster analysis of European NUTS-2 regions using multiple flow indicators and derive five types of engagement in knowledge flows. We then explore the resulting regional ‘flow profiles’ and clarify the drivers and barriers to becoming a high-performing knowledge region, providing valuable insights for regional policymakers and planners.

Enhancing service delivery capacity through knowledge exchange: The Seniors Health Research Transfer Network