As semantic technologies prove their value with targeted applications, there are increasing opportunities to consider their application in social contexts for knowledge, learning, and human development.

Semantic Web and Knowledge Management has been accepted as a critical enabler aiming to increase knowledge-related performance by better use of intellectual assets, in addition to which many governments are forced to increasingly deal with knowledge services that form larger parts of the global economy and society.

Thus there are recent examples of applications of semantics for empowering knowledge management or better supporting knowledge services for social networks. In this edited book we explore the potential of Web 2.0 and its synergies with Semantic Web, and we provide the state of the art in theoretical foundations and technological applications. In the context of Social Web Evolution, social and human issues are of equal if not higher importance than the technical issues that have tended to receive the bulk of attention in the past. Consequently, chapters that touch these aspects, or those that extend technical and domain knowledge to social and human issues are especially sought. This is intended to initiate a dialog between the social, psychological, and technical views of the field.

Web 2.0 is one of the hottest topics in Information Systems. Currently, the main discussion is emphasized on technologies while there is a great demand for editions that will analyze the business models and business perspectives of the new generation Web. This book is one of the first attempts to discuss in an integrated way the business implications of Web 2.0 and its linkage to business value.

Web 2.0, refers to a perceived or proposed second generation of Internet-based services—such as social networking sites, Wikis, communication tools, mashups and folksonomies—that emphasize on online collaboration and sharing among users.

Additionally we also include further readings of a complimentary nature to the contents of the rest of our publication. As an added value to our readers, the further readings are to provide additional related data in support of the book’s comprehensive concepts, principles and results, as well as studies that build upon the appeal of this publication as a one-stop reference source.

We do not want to miss this opportunity to say thanks to IGI Global, and in particular to Jan Travers and Kristin M. Klinger for giving us the opportunity to develop this book. Also thanks to all authors of chapters, for their interest in collaborating in this book.