Social network, social trust and shared goals in organizational knowledge sharing

Many aspects of social networks consider the benefits for the individual joining these networks. So I think this article might be interesting, as it describes how the organization itself may profit from social networks (which are described as one part of social capital):

Colleagues, who form social networks, are more effective in knowledge sharing and knowledge transfer, as
a) social networks generally provide better opportunities for interpersonal contact and people have more positive feelings about sharing ideas and resources with closely related people
and
b) with an extensice network, each employee perceives greater social
pressure for sharing their knowledge (because of the high expectations of colleagues, including favorable actions). --> People who build a social network may be expected to share their knowledge

That means, for this issues of knwoledge management, organizational success can be directly related to social networks within the organiaztion. Moreover, in times of fluctuating workforces and retirements of large parts of the workforces, knowledge sharing and -transfer are highly relevant for the overall and sustainable success of an organization. So, it is a critical task for HR departments to recruite people who share common interests (and goals) and therefore to support the formation of social networks in order to stabilize and develop the whole organization.