Value creation in networks and communities

Very interesting document by Etienne Wenger, Beverly Trayner and Maarten de Laat on what kind values of created in networks and communities and how to assess them: Promoting and assessing value creation in communities and networks: a conceptual framework.

From Section 4 onward they list cycles of value creation in networks and communities:

• Immediate value, such as a good tip provided by a colleague. Activities and interactions can produce value in and of themselves. They can be fun and inspiring.
• Potential value: Knowledge capital
• Personal assets (human capital)
• Relationships and connections
• Resources
• Collective intangible assets (reputational capital).
• Transformed ability to learn
• Applied value: Changes in practice
• Realized value: Performance improvement
• Reframing value: Redefining success

They also "suggest a series of questions to investigate as a way to reflect on the value that communities and networking produce" and provide a set of templates for this task.

Via Stephen Downes.