1. Simulating Communication and Knowledge Networks Edward T. Palazzolo Arizona State University etp@asu.edu Source: Newsweek, December 2000

2. © Ed Palazzolo - 2007-11-072 Blanche for simulating networks Blanche is a computational modeling environment to specify, simulate, and analyze the evolution and co-evolution of networks

3. © Ed Palazzolo - 2007-11-073 What does Blanche do? Models a network containing a system of actors (nodes) with multiple attributes and the relations or links among the actors Decision Rules: Non-linear logical and mathematical difference equations to describe how the system changes over time

4. © Ed Palazzolo - 2007-11-074 Theories in Blanche Blanche is a modeling environment and therefore does not embody an a priori theory e.g., no built-in hierarchy for teams Theories are specified as a set of decision rules Can specify a single or multiple theories as needed

5. © Ed Palazzolo - 2007-11-075 A Theoretical Model in Blanche Blanche simulates the processes of Transactive Memory Theory through an exact specification of: the attributes of the nodes (e.g., who knows what, who does what) their relations (e.g., communication between coworkers, retrieval of information from another actor)

6. © Ed Palazzolo – 2007-11-076 Fundamental Principle of Transactive Memory Theory Two or more individual’s memories + Communication between those individuals Perceptions of “who knows what” & the emergence of experts

7. © Ed Palazzolo - 2007-11-077 Explaining Changes in Attributes Changes in the value of the attributes for actor i are influenced by past and present values of: Other attributes of actor i Attributes of other actors j Relations between actor i and other actors j

8. © Ed Palazzolo - 2007-11-078 Attributes of Nodes INFv = Incoming Information on topic V

9. © Ed Palazzolo - 2007-11-079 Explaining changes in Relations Changes in the value of relations for actor i to actor j are influenced by past and present values of: Attributes of actor i Attributes of other actors j Relations between actor i and other actors j

10. © Ed Palazzolo - 2007-11-0710 Relations Between Nodes CRIx = Communication to retrieve information on topic x from actor j by actor i

11. What if…? © Ed Palazzolo - 2007-11-0711

12. © Ed Palazzolo - 2007-11-0712 What if…?

13. © Ed Palazzolo - 2007-11-0713 If ……Then

14. © Ed Palazzolo - 2007-11-0714 Getting data from real work teams: Knowledge Task Interdependence

15. © Ed Palazzolo – 2007-11-0715 Data Collection: Perceptions of Expertise

16. © Ed Palazzolo - 2007-11-0716 Communication to Retrieve Information

17. © Ed Palazzolo – 2007-11-0717 Communication to Allocate Information

18. Provocation Questions How do we get user-level, cognitive data without surveying people? How to survey people easier? What is the proper granularity of measurement for knowledge? Some studies show people best discern at 4 levels Computer can simulate infinite levels © Ed Palazzolo - 2007-11-0718