Borrowed theory: applying exchange theories in information science research.

Hall, Hazel

Abstract

This article discusses the applicability of “borrowing” theory originally developed in other disciplines to information science research, and, in particular, the analytical concepts and assumptions of social exchange theory as a framework for exploring motivational factors of knowledge sharing in large, distributed, information-intensive organizations. Social exchange theory relates to sociology, psychology, and anthropology, and the article indicates the extent to which knowledge has been regarded as an “exchange resource”. This is followed by an analysis of previous work that has tied exchange theory to areas of interest to information scientists. An ongoing research project tests the analytical concepts and assumptions of social exchange theory in a knowledge market, and the potential for such work to generate further theory.

Citation

Hall, H. (2003). Borrowed theory: applying exchange theories in information science research. Library and Information Science Research, 25(3), 287-306. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0740-8188%2803%2900031-8

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: 2003-09
• Deposit Date: Apr 28, 2008
• Publicly Available Date: May 16, 2017
• Journal: Library and Information Science Research
• Print ISSN: 0740-8188
• Electronic ISSN: 1873-1848
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 25
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 287-306
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/s0740-8188%2803%2900031-8
• Keywords: information science research; exchange theory; social exchange theory; knowledge management; "borrowed theory"; gift economies
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/id/eprint/2184
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0740-8188(03)00031-8
• Contract Date: May 16, 2017