A New Method for Supporting Information Management in Engineering-consulting Companies: Organizational Network Analysis

Mehdi Jafari Rizi,; Ali Shaemi Barzaki,; Mohammad Hossein Yarmohammadian,

doi:10.35050/JIPM010.2014.047

A New Method for Supporting Information Management in Engineering-consulting Companies: Organizational Network Analysis

Authors

Mohammad Hossein Yarmohammadian

10.35050/JIPM010.2014.047

Abstract

Organizational performance depends on specialized
information that is transfered throughout an organization via
communication networks among employees. Interactions that occur
within these networks are poorly understood and are generally
unmanaged. In this case study, we describe a method that has
potential to provide systematic support for information management
in engineering- consulting companies. We applied organizational
network analysis, a method for studying communication networks, to
assess the method’s utility to support decision making for the
managers of engineering-consulting companies in civil industry, and
to determine what links existed between information use and the
agency processes. Data on communication links among a company’s
department’s staff was obtained via a survey with a 94% response
rate, and were analyzed by the Organizational Risk Analyzer (ORA)
software. The findings described the structure of information flow in
the department’s communication networks. Results indicated that
communications among employees between divisions were weak
especially among experts staff. Shared situation awareness of
organizational processes is low. However, speed of information flow
was good. The analysis results in providing better insights into
organizational processes for managers to address problems and to
take advantage of network strengths.

Keywords

Social Network Analysis

Information Management

Organizational Structure

Engineering-consulting Company

Social Network Measures