Enhancing business networks using social network based virtual communities

Purpose - To enhance an entrepreneur's business network through the integration of the social network concepts and design principles of virtual communities. Design/methodology/approach - This study documents the design and initial deployment of a virtual community case, Innovation Information Infrastructure, based on social network concepts. Findings - Basic design principles, deployment strategy, and future directions for social network-based virtual communities are presented. Research limitations/implications - Because of resource and time constraints, only basic content service, communication tools, and transaction functions were implemented in the initial deployment. Future extensions of this study may include development of a personalized and intelligent information retrieval system utilizing data mining techniques, development of advanced communication features to promote active participation, and creation of automatic social network-tracking tools to monitor an individual's network evolution. Practical implications - Sample designs are provided for researchers who are interested in conducting a similar study. Originality/value - This study serves as a starting-point for how theories from social network and virtual community research streams can be applied in creating a virtual community that facilitates transformation of knowledge into products and services, which in turn lead to greater economic prosperity.