SOCIAL CAPITAL AND TRANSACTIVE MEMORY SYSTEMS IN WORK GROUPS: A MULTILEVEL APPROACH.

Abstract

This research developed a multilevel, multi-theoretical model of transactive memory theory. First, the research reformulated the theory using Kozloswski and Klein's emergence model. Second, the research used Burt's structural hole theory, Granovettor's strength of weak ties theory, Krackhardt's strength of strong ties theory, Lin's social resources theory, and Coleman's network closure theory to examine how individual and collective social capital influences the development of transactive memories. The model was tested via multilevel structural equation modeling techniques. Results showed that individual social capital had a significant impact on the development of individual expertise directories. Collective social capital and task interdependence did not impact the development of transactive memory systems at the group level, but task interdependence had significant direct impact on collective access to information. It was also found that both network density and task interdependence moderated the relationship between the development of individual expertise directories and individual access to information. It means that in (a) dense networks, or (b) high task interdependence groups, the relationship between the development of individual expertise directories and individual access to information was weaker than in (a) sparse networks or (b) low task dependence groups. Development of TM systems had no moderating effect on the relationships between the development of individual expertise directories and individual access to information.