Social Network Analysis Applied to Digital Work Environments
Abstract
This study contributed to the latest research around leveraging organizational communities and social networks. A review of current research revealed that while communities and social networks are an ideal human infrastructure for a learning organization, they cannot be intentionally designed, implemented, or deployed with much success. In order to be effective, then, organizational learning initiatives need to provide resources based on existing communities and social networks in an organization. However, the problem is (or was ;-), in order to base initiatives on these existing social networks, an organization must be able to locate them.
This research used a Social Network Analysis methodology in order to locate, statistically describe, and then map existing social networks at Intraspect Software (now Vignette) so organizational benefits and strategies could be derived. The data collection procedure used in the Social Network Analysis methodology of this study was unique in that it leveraged digital metadata, in lieu of the more common interview or survey procedures, captured as community members interacted in the technologically supported work environments.
Sample Network Map
This is a network map depicting the neighborhood of Intraspect Actor 235, from the E-mail Transactions Amalgamation, with the highest Degree Centrality count (74.07) in the network. Actor 235 also has the highest Closeness Centrality in the network.
Dissertation Co-Author:
Christopher Freeman, Ed.D.
Dissertation Committee Members:
Linda G. Polin, Ph.D. Chairperson