Organisational Structure: Some Observations on the Importance of Informal Advice and Trust Networks

Sellitto, Carmine (2011) Organisational Structure: Some Observations on the Importance of Informal Advice and Trust Networks. International Journal of Interdisciplinary Social Sciences, 6 (2). pp. 23-34. ISSN 1833-1882

Abstract

Formal and informal organisational structures are inter-dependent entities that contribute to the firm’s working environment—an interdependence that reflects cross-employee relationships. The formal organisational structure is prescribed and understood, whilst informal networks are by definition difficult to identify. Indeed, the ability of workers in an organisation to share data, information and know-how can be enhanced through the existence of well-formed but undocumented informal networks. Informal networks are a potential conduit that allows workplace project initiatives to be streamlined, can inform and improve decision-making and provide support for individual-to-individual information or knowledge exchanges. This paper uses the theoretical literature to examine the notion of organisational structure and relates how informal networks are an important element in underpinning the firm’s cohesion and performance. The advice and trust networks are examined with some of the potential positive impacts of each informal entity on the firm being noted.

Item type Article
URI https://vuir.vu.edu.au/id/eprint/9026
Subjects Historical > Faculty/School/Research Centre/Department > School of Management and Information Systems
Historical > FOR Classification > 1503 Business and Management
Historical > SEO Classification > 970108 Expanding Knowledge in the Information and Computing Sciences
Keywords ResPubID23338, organisational structure, informal networks, advice network, trust network, social network, knowledge
Citations in Scopus 0 - View on Scopus
Download/View statistics View download statistics for this item

Search Google Scholar

Repository staff login