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If Ever the Twain Shall Meet: Graph Theoretical Dimensions of Formal and Informal Organization Structure

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  • Starling Hunter

Abstract

Formal and informal organization structure have been described as ¡°opposing poles of a duality¡±¡ªone which has yet to be fully resolved. The aim of this paper is to detail an approach to treating both structures in a comparable way, an approach that explicitly recognizes core and underlying commonalties. Two distinct analytical strategies are employed to this end. The first involves a detailed comparison and contrast of selected and relevant structural dimensions drawn from the two research streams. The second strategy involves the application of these dimensions to the study of network graphs of both the formal and informal structures of the same organization at the same point in time.

Suggested Citation

  • Starling Hunter, 2016. "If Ever the Twain Shall Meet: Graph Theoretical Dimensions of Formal and Informal Organization Structure," International Journal of Social Science Studies, Redfame publishing, vol. 4(10), pages 79-90, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:rfa:journl:v:4:y:2016:i:10:p:79-90
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Patrick Bolton & Mathias Dewatripont, 1994. "The Firm as a Communication Network," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 109(4), pages 809-839.
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    4. Ranjay Gulati & Phanish Puranam, 2009. "Renewal Through Reorganization: The Value of Inconsistencies Between Formal and Informal Organization," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 20(2), pages 422-440, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Starling David Hunter & Henrik Bentzen & Jan Taug, 2020. "On the “missing link” between formal organization and informal social structure," Journal of Organization Design, Springer;Organizational Design Community, vol. 9(1), pages 1-20, December.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    organization structure; organization design; network analysis; social network analysis; organizational network analysis; hierarchy; decentralization; centralization; division of labor; span of control;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • R00 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General - - - General
    • Z0 - Other Special Topics - - General

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