Communication and organizational social networks: a simulation model

Liang Chen (), Guy G. Gable and Haibo Hu
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Liang Chen: East China University of Science and Technology
Guy G. Gable: Queensland University of Technology
Haibo Hu: East China University of Science and Technology

Computational and Mathematical Organization Theory, 2013, vol. 19, issue 4, No 5, 460-479

Abstract: Abstract Recent management research has evidenced the significance of organizational social networks, and communication is believed to impact the interpersonal relationships. However, we have little knowledge on how communication affects organizational social networks. This paper studies the dynamics between organizational communication patterns and the growth of organizational social networks. We propose an organizational social network growth model, and then collect empirical data to test model validity. The simulation results agree well with the empirical data. The results of simulation experiments enrich our knowledge on communication with the findings that organizational management practices that discourage employees from communicating within and across group boundaries have disparate and significant negative effect on the social network’s density, scalar assortativity and discrete assortativity, each of which correlates with the organization’s performance. These findings also suggest concrete measures for management to construct and develop the organizational social network.

Keywords: Communication; Organizational social networks; Growth model; Management practice (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2013
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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DOI: 10.1007/s10588-012-9131-0

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