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Informal Networks in Organizations - A literature review

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  • Waldstrøm, Christian

    (Department of Organisation and Management, Aarhus School of Business)

Abstract

In the increasingly complex and dynamic theories of modern organizations, there is a substantial lack of knowledge about the way things actually get done, and how individuals interact socially within the organizations to facilitate this. The primary goal of this paper is to identify, analyse and assess the existing contributions to the understanding of these informal networks in organizations. The first part of the paper presents the key terms and concepts needed to understand social networks both in general and within the framework of formal organizations in particular. In the second part, the main characteristics of the informal networks are highlighted along with an analysis of the implications for managers and for the formal organization as a whole. Finally, some propositions concerning the importance of the informal networks are listed, as they form the basis for the indications of the future research needed in this field.

Suggested Citation

  • Waldstrøm, Christian, 2001. "Informal Networks in Organizations - A literature review," Working Papers 2001-2, University of Aarhus, Aarhus School of Business, Department of Management.
    • Handle: RePEc:hhb:aardom:2001_002
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    File URL: http://www.hba.dk/fsk/pdfs/0003088.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Dorriots, Beatriz & Johansson, Inga-Lill, 1999. "Communicative power: A linguistic approach to the study of the microdynamics of organizations," Scandinavian Journal of Management, Elsevier, vol. 15(2), pages 193-211, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Madsen, Mona Toft, 2001. "Leadership and Management Theories Revisited," Working Papers 2001-5, University of Aarhus, Aarhus School of Business, Department of Management.
    2. Song, Xiao & Shi, Wen & Ma, Yaofei & Yang, Chen, 2015. "Impact of informal networks on opinion dynamics in hierarchically formal organization," Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Elsevier, vol. 436(C), pages 916-924.
    3. Fosco, C. & Mengel, F., 2008. "Incentives and informal networks," Research Memorandum 022, Maastricht University, Maastricht Research School of Economics of Technology and Organization (METEOR).

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