论文标题
正式的层次结构和非正式网络：组织结构如何塑造当地政府的信息搜索
Formal Hierarchies and Informal Networks: How Organizational Structure Shapes Information Search in Local Government
论文作者
论文摘要
近几十年来，人们对公共组织内的非正式沟通网络的关注不断增长。尽管研究记录了个人认知和社会结构在理解组织中信息搜索中的作用，但本文强调了正式层次结构的重要性。我们认为，官僚机构的结构属性在建模公共组织中的知识流动时被忽略了。从经验上讲，我们使用指数随机图建模（ERGM）研究了小型城市政府143名员工中的人际信息寻求模式。结果表明，正式结构强烈塑造信息搜索模式，同时考虑社交网络变量和个人级别的看法。我们发现正式的身份，许可途径和部门会员资格都会影响员工的信息搜索。了解组织结构对信息搜索网络的影响将提供通过设计选择来改善公共组织中信息流的机会。
Attention to informal communication networks within public organizations has grown in recent decades. While research has documented the role of individual cognition and social structure in understanding information search in organizations, this article emphasizes the importance of formal hierarchy. We argue that the structural attributes of bureaucracies are too important to be neglected when modeling knowledge flows in public organizations. Empirically, we examine interpersonal information seeking patterns among 143 employees in a small city government, using exponential random graph modeling (ERGM). The results suggest that formal structure strongly shapes information search patterns while accounting for social network variables and individual level perceptions. We find that formal status, permission pathways, and departmental membership all affect the information search of employees. Understanding the effects of organizational structure on information search networks will offer opportunities to improve information flows in public organizations via design choices.
