Social Networks : Building Smart Communities through Network Weaving

Valdis Krebs is an organizational consultant and the developer of InFLOW software, www.orgnet.com June Holley is founder and President/CEO of the Appalachian Center for Economic Networks, www.acenetworks.org Article introduction: "Communities are built on connections. Better connections usually provide better opportunities. But, what are better connections, and how do they lead to more effective and productive communities? How do we build connected communities that create, and take advantage of, opportunities in their region or marketplace? How does success emerge from the complex interactions within communities? This paper investigates building sustainable communities through improving their connectivity – internally and externally – using network ties to create economic opportunities. Improved connectivity is created through an iterative process of knowing the network and knitting the network."