Between-group connectedness affecting online group effectiveness: The role of the bridging member

In this paper we show how the social network position of bridging members between online groups within an enterprise social network (ESN) affect the group’s effectiveness. Bridging members connect otherwise unconnected online groups. They voluntarily participate in multiple online groups by posting messages and replying to others. We show how these bridging members affect the effectiveness of groups they are active in, based on their social network position between the connecting groups, and the pace of adding new information to the group. Our study contributes to the literature on social networks and group effectiveness, as we show how an online group is connected to other groups, influence group effectiveness. In addition, our study has some practical implications, because it potentially benefits people who work in online groups.