Knowledge and Innovation Network

A community of members focused on methodically testing evolving theories, methods, and tools for generating knowledge and improving organizational effectiveness.

SoL Contact: Frank Schneider 1(617) 300-9535

KIN Coordinators: Nick Zeniuk and Dennis Sandow.

What is the Knowledge and Innovation Network (KIN)?

The idea of the Knowledge & Innovation Network is to begin to understand how human systems perform and evolve, engaging leadership in conversation and reflection about how people do what they do, how they innovate, solve problems, create new knowledge. As with all social networks, KIN is dynamic and self-organizing. Any productivity toward KIN's purpose arises through collaborative social network structures of those that choose to participate.

KIN may be seen as a global social action network. It evolved from a tradition of social systems research and social biology. It is also informed by ancient practices and ideas. KIN is grounded on reflection and study of daily experiences of individuals working together. A few quotes from active participants in KIN:

"Knowledge is the coordination of action."
"Innovation and good work happens when people come together."
"When others see something good happening, they may begin to do it, yet often hidden from the hierarchy."

Three Questions at the Core

• What are the organizational structures that enable performance improvement as a result of innovation and new knowledge?
• What is the interaction between changing social systems and leadership?
• What are the methods and tools that help us understand the structures that enable organizational transformation?

Current Focus of KIN
Projects to foster learning communities, activate collective intelligence, and help create a more sustainable future have taken place in many different countries such as Brazil, China, Egypt, France, Germany, India, Norway, Sweden, The Netherlands, Turkey, and the US. The projects aimed at identifying the informal networks within organizations and communities that come together to create results, influence and stimulate change, and inspire real transformation. Often these networks are quite different in size, composition, and duration of existence than the formal networks defined by organization charts and traditional hierarchy. Hewlett-Packard has reportedly saved approx. $200 USD million as a result of a large social system change based on concepts and interventions of KIN.