CoopNet: A Social, P2P-Like Simulation Model to Explore Knowledge-Based Production Processes

Aprevalent claim is that we are in a knowledge economy, where firms can be viewed as intra-organizational networks of knowledge nodes. Accordingly, firms’ competitive advantage relies on their ability to support intellectual production processes that bridge talents and (possibly) foster durable work relations among employees in the organization. In this work, we propose a social, P2P-like simulation model, CoopNet, to investigate how intra organizational networking and organizational mechanisms interact to affect intra-organizational cooperation. More specifically, we examine how (a) different reward mechanisms and (b) alternative assumptions on workers’ mobility within an intra-organizational network combine to influence cooperation. As a result, we highlight the role of (a) co-workers’ selection and (b) continuity of working relationships as alternative mechanisms to foster cooperation within intra-organizational networks.