On the second day of net work blogs, I offer the two network sources, that is, ways that networks come into being:

• Through intention
• Through discovery

Most of the networks we live in emerge from the context of our lives. Our friendship networks emerge from, initially, a shared circumstance: school, neighborhood, workplace. We may not specifically name these networks, but we nonetheless have some way (personal, if not shared) way of identifying them. A group of work associates who’ve maintained relatedness long after the company folded refer to themselves collectively as the “Mai Tai Task Force” as a nod to their after-work gatherings and the discovery of the developing personal ties that transcended work matters.

Professional, learning networks emerge from a shared interest or sets of overlapping online communities. I participate in several knowledge management-based communities, for example, and I know that there are overlaps  as I read postings from the same people in each of these fora. These loose networks’ current purpose (you have to wait for the fifth day to receive five purposes) is shared exploration of ideas, possibilities, and opinions.

People discover one another in these networks and may over time develop stronger ties that lead to intentional networks.  Similarly, professional events and gatherings bring people together and offer opportunities for action. At patterns become clear, leaders may declare intentional networks — providing identity, structure, and space. The creation of communities of practice (COPs)  is an example. As a number of people relate to each other around a common learning and practice improvement goal, the formalization of that network into a community of practice provides focused purpose and enables shared commitments.

Nonprofit organizations have been on the network path for several years now, creating events to seed networked collaborations. For example, Maine Network Partners is a nonprofit devoted to creating intentional networks. The ability to create and sustain viable networks is a new, critical skill (you have to wait for the seventh day to see the seven network skills).

Businesses are enhancing their internal capabilities through crowd sourcing and building networks of expertise. The innovation networks created  by such companies as Innocentive and Yet2.com are providing examples of brokerage networks. These companies offer a mechanism for a company to state a technology challenge and invite solutions from a wide potential set of contributors.

So, there you have two sources. Intentional networks are created through what in speech act theory is  known as a declaration. Discovered networks are allowed to emerge and can be transformed, intentionally, when a purpose provides a useful boundary.

Recounting:

The second day: two network sources

The first day: a network lens