Using social network analysis to measure transactive memory systems

Purpose: This study aims to explore how social networks could be used in the measurement of transactive memory systems (TMS) or other team constructs and provide motivation for future analyses of TMS measurement. Design/methodology/approach: TMSs describe the structures and processes that teams use to share information, work together and accomplish shared goals. This paper proposes the use of social network analysis in measuring TMS. This is accomplished by describing the creation and administration of a TMS network instrument and evaluating the relation of the proposed network measures, previous measures of TMS and performance. Findings: Findings include that proposed network measures perform similarly to previously proposed, frequently used measures of TMS. Originality/value: To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is among the first papers to propose network measures for the evaluation of TMS.