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

Abstract

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