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Hierarchical structures of communication in a network organization

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  • Oberg, Achim
  • Walgenbach, Peter

Abstract

Summary We analyze the intranet communication behavior of members of a company that was deeply committed to the principles of non-hierarchical communication structures and of post-bureaucratic organization. We observe a split between the symbolic activities for creating a non-hierarchical network organization and the actual intranet communication behavior of the organization members. In their daily communication on the intranet, they persistently reproduced hierarchical structures and official channels--elements typically associated with bureaucratic organizations. Further, we find many signals in the content of the intranet messages, reflecting a social hierarchy that has evolved within the organization. Thus, despite rhetoric to the contrary, our findings regarding this communication behavior show that, to all intents and purposes, this particular organization displayed characteristics similar to those of a traditional bureaucratic organization.

Suggested Citation

  • Oberg, Achim & Walgenbach, Peter, 2008. "Hierarchical structures of communication in a network organization," Scandinavian Journal of Management, Elsevier, vol. 24(3), pages 183-198, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:scaman:v:24:y:2008:i:3:p:183-198
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    Cited by:

    1. Marcel Maurer & Norbert Bach & Simon Oertel, 2023. "Changes in formal structure towards self-managing organization and their effects on the intra-organizational communication network," Journal of Organization Design, Springer;Organizational Design Community, vol. 12(3), pages 83-98, September.
    2. Kai Riemer & Stefan Stieglitz & Christian Meske, 2015. "From Top to Bottom," Business & Information Systems Engineering: The International Journal of WIRTSCHAFTSINFORMATIK, Springer;Gesellschaft für Informatik e.V. (GI), vol. 57(3), pages 197-212, June.
    3. Dischner, Simon, 2015. "Organizational structure, organizational form, and counterproductive work behavior: A competitive test of the bureaucratic and post-bureaucratic views," Scandinavian Journal of Management, Elsevier, vol. 31(4), pages 501-514.
    4. Nadia Elena SANDULESCU, 2012. "Public Information - Requirement of Deposit Guarantee Schemes," REVISTA DE MANAGEMENT COMPARAT INTERNATIONAL/REVIEW OF INTERNATIONAL COMPARATIVE MANAGEMENT, Faculty of Management, Academy of Economic Studies, Bucharest, Romania, vol. 13(3), pages 387-393, July.
    5. Guido Fioretti, 2012. "Two measures of organizational flexibility," Journal of Evolutionary Economics, Springer, vol. 22(5), pages 957-979, November.
    6. Wonder Agbenyo & Yuansheng Jiang & Prince Komla Cobblah, 2018. "Assessment of Government Internal Control Systems on Financial Reporting Quality in Ghana: A Case Study of Ghana Revenue Authority," International Journal of Economics and Finance, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 10(11), pages 1-40, November.
    7. Thomas Diefenbach, 2011. "When does Superiors’ Deviance threaten Organisational Hierarchy?," Working Papers 27, The German University in Cairo, Faculty of Management Technology.
    8. Ghulam Mustafa & Hans Solli-Sæther & Virginia Bodolica & Jon Ivar Håvold & Anam Ilyas, 2022. "Digitalization trends and organizational structure: bureaucracy, ambidexterity or post-bureaucracy?," Eurasian Business Review, Springer;Eurasia Business and Economics Society, vol. 12(4), pages 671-694, December.
    9. Sun, Zhentian & Li, Xuhong & Qiao, Wenxin & Haghani, Ali, 2013. "Entropy-based performance evaluation on institutional structures of trunk highway management—Case study in China," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 27(C), pages 85-91.

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