Hierarchical Structures of Communication in a Network Organization

The network organization is conceived as a group of linked experts that are not to be understood as pure specialists, and it is argued that there should be an overlap in their respective areas of expertise, in order to promote mutual understanding and a recognition of the need for information and knowledge inorder to carry out activities efficiently.

Abstract

The concept of the network organization is presented in the popular management literature as a counter-model to the bureaucratic organization, and one that would increase the flexibility or adaptive capacity of organizations. In order to increase flexibility and adaptability, emphasis is placed in the network organization on the rapid and broad diffusion of information (Probst/Raub/Romhardt 2006). Free communication flows and shared access to information and knowledge are regarded as essential (Cairncross 2001). Thus, contrary to classic theories of organization (March/Simon 1958; Simon 1945; Weber 1968), information should be available to all members of the organization, irrespective of specialization and/or hierarchical position (Koehler/Dupper/Scaff/Reitberger/ Paxson 1998; Levine/Locke/Searls/Weinberger 1999). The network organization is conceived as a group of linked experts (Sproull/Kiesler 1991). These experts however, are not to be understood as pure specialists. On the contrary, it is argued that there should be an overlap in their respective areas of expertise, in order to promote mutual understanding and a recognition of the need for information and knowledge in order to carry out activities efficiently (Mendelson/Ziegler 1999).