Invisible iterations: how formal and informal organization shape knowledge networks for coordination
(2024)
This study takes a network approach to investigate coordination among knowledge workers as grounded in both formal and informal organization. We first derive hypotheses regarding patterns of knowledge-sharing relationships by which workers pass on and exchange tacit and codified knowledge within and across organizational hierarchies to address the challenges that underpin contemporary knowledge work. We use survey data and apply exponential random graph models to test our hypotheses. We then extend the quantitative network analysis with insights from qualitative interviews and demonstrate that the identified knowledge-sharing patterns are the micro-foundational traces of collective coordination resulting from two underlying coordination mechanisms which we label ‘invisible iterations’ and ‘bringing in the big guns’. These mechanisms and, by extension, the associated knowledge-sharing patterns enable knowledge workers to perform in a setting that is characterized by complexity, uncertainty and ambiguity. Our research contributes to theory on the interplay between formal and informal organization for coordination by showing how self-directed, informal action is supported by the formal organizational hierarchy. In doing so, it also extends understanding of the role that hierarchy plays for knowledge-intensive work. Finally, it establishes the collective need to coordinate work as a previously overlooked driver of knowledge network relationships and network patterns. © 2024 The Authors. Journal of Management Studies published by Society for the Advancement of Management Studies and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Twenty-four scientists met for the annual Auxological conference held at Krobielowice castle, Poland, to discuss the diverse influences of the environment and of social behavior on growth following last year’s focus on growth and public health concerns (Hermanussen et al., 2022b). Growth and final body size exhibit marked plastic responses to ecological conditions. Among the shortest are the pygmoid people of Rampasasa, Flores, Indonesia, who still live under most secluded insular conditions. Genetics and nutrition are usually considered responsible for the poor growth in many parts of this world, but evidence is accumulating on the prominent impact of social embedding on child growth. Secular trends not only in the growth of height, but also in body proportions, accompany the secular changes in the social, economic and political conditions, with major influences on the emotional and educational circumstances under which the children grow up (Bogin, 2021). Aspects of developmental tempo and aspects of sports were discussed, and the impact of migration by the example of women from Bangladesh who grew up in the UK. Child growth was considered in particular from the point of view of strategic adjustments of individual size within the network of its social group. Theoretical considerations on network characteristics were presented and related to the evolutionary conservation of growth regulating hypothalamic neuropeptides that have been shown to link behavior and physical growth in the vertebrate species. New statistical approaches were presented for the evaluation of short term growth measurements that permit monitoring child growth at intervals of a few days and weeks.
The paper investigates the question of sustainability of capacity building initiatives by reporting about the multiplication training in the frame of DIES NMT Programme on quality assurance in Uganda and how it could make use of the social capital within the existing quality assurance network to sustain and address challenges during its implementation. The purpose of the article is to explore the nature of networking (social and institutional) which was established by the Ugandan Universities Quality Assurance Forum (UUQAF) and share the strategies used in this training experience for future sustainable capacity building training initiatives in emerging economies. The paper employed a qualitative research method to describe and analyse the training framework based on primary and secondary documents.
Soziale Netzwerkanalyse für HumangeographInnen : Einführung in UCINET und NetDraw in fünf Schritten
(2013)
In den Sozialwissenschaften profiliert sich derzeit eine disziplinübergreifende Netzwerkforschung, die sich durch eine relationale Theorieperspektive auszeichnet. Die empirische Forschung greift dabei vermehrt auf das Methodenrepertoire der Social Network Analysis (SNA) zurück. Für die Humangeographie kann der soziologische Blick der Netzwerkforschung auf unterschiedliche Weise um „Raumbezüge“ ergänzt und in verschiedenen Forschungsfeldern zur Anwendung gebracht werden. Trotz ihres vielfältigen Potenzials nimmt die SNA in der geographischen Methodenausbildung in Deutschland bisher einen eher untergeordneten Stellenwert ein. Dieses Buch richtet sich an Studentinnen und Studenten, die sich für (humangeographische) empirische Netzwerkforschung interessieren und einen einfachen Einstieg suchen. Es führt verständlich in zentrale Fachbegriffe der SNA und die grundlegenden Funktionen der Analyse-Software UCINet ein. Von der Dateneingabe und -aufbereitung, über die Visualisierung bis hin zu netzwerkanalytischen Berechnungen werden die ersten Schritte vorgestellt und nachvollziehbar erläutert.