Complex adaptive information flow and search transfer analysis

Studying information flow between node clusters can be conceptualised as an important challenge for the knowledge management research and practice community. We are confronted with issues related to establishing links between nodes and/or clusters during the process of information flow and search transfer in large distributed networks. In the case of missing socio‐technical links, social networks can be instrumental in supporting the communities of practice interested in sharing and transferring knowledge across informal links. A comprehensive review of methodology for detecting missing links is provided. The proportion of common neighbours was selected as best practice to elicit missing links from a large health insurance data set. Weights were based on geographical arrangements of providers and the dollar value of transactions. The core network was elicited based on statistical thresholds. Suspicious, possibly fraudulent, behaviour is highlighted based on social network measures of the core. Our findings are supported by a health insurance industry expert panel.