Barriers and benefits of using social networking sites versus face-to-face meetings for sharing knowledge in professional societies

This study aims to assess the benefits and barriers of social networking sites (SNS) for sharing knowledge in professional societies, compared to face-to-face meetings (F2F). SNS can be a valuable technology for non-profit organisations. Studies have investigated the barriers and benefits of knowledge sharing in firm-based communities of practice (CoP) or virtual CoP, but not much is known about professional societies' use of public SNS for knowledge sharing. Based on two rounds of a Delphi study, the results revealed the benefits and barriers of F2F meetings compared to the benefits and barriers of SNS for sharing knowledge in professional societies.