Formal structure and intra-organisational networks. An analysis in a combined social and health organisation in Finland

Jan-Erik Johanson

Scandinavian Journal of Management, 2000, vol. 16, issue 3, 249-267

Abstract: The aim of this article is to study the interplay between formal structure and social relations in a combined social and health organisation in Finland, using of social network analysis. Two features of formal structure were considered, namely hierarchy and the division of labour. The social relations were studied in three networks: collaboration, advice and friendship. The results show that formal organisation impacts powerfully on the patterns of interaction, including affective relations. Further, middle management has a restricted role as a buffer between top management and information flowing upward from the lower hierarchical levels, while the staff unit holds a peripheral position among the horizontal units. In conclusion, the approach adopted here offers a viable way to test theoretical constructs in other organisations and to trace relational problems before they become serious obstacles to the functioning of the organisation.

Keywords: Hierarchy; Division; of; labour; Social; network; analysis; Intra-organisational; networks (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2000
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