E-Communities, Social Networks and Knowledge Management

Against the background of global connectivity and formation of e-communities, this paper examines some intra- and inter-community communications and exchanges, other than scholarly and business communications, and the impact of information and communication technologies (ITCs) in this context. Considers some positive aspects of ITC applications, such as, acceleration of empowerment, creation of a more level playing field, facilitation of expression of and greater visibility to the needs and aspirations of the community, and utilization of the tacit ‘community knowledge’ for the welfare of the larger society. Suggests that knowledge management ideas can be applied to e-communities taking into consideration some additional parameters.