A large percent of the information in the grapeVINE system was added at low priority, causing the information not to be shared. A major advantage touted of groups is the potential for pooling unshared information and thereby improving task accomplishment. This paper explores the affect of expertise on organizational transactive memory with respect to the filtering and sharing of information. First transactive organizational memory is briefly discussed, followed by relevant aspects of social validation theory and a description of the filtering and sharing model embodied in Brook's classification and dissemination system. We then describe the experimental design used to isolate the effects of expertise on the filtering and sharing of information, present results, and discuss their implications.
Social comparison occurs when no objective, physical comparison can be found.
The use of unshared information and the manipulation of expertise in a group provides one way of examining the social validation process. If experts offer information in their domains, then social validation may occur because of their designation as experts. By extension, the individuals designated as experts should feel less inhibited to bring forward information and feel more confident in what they share. In addition, it supports commenting and other forms of added-value items such as ideas, opinions and rumors. A multi-threaded database, or corporate memory is created.