International Journal of Organizational Analysis, Volume 23, Issue 1, March 2015.
Purpose In the literature, various terms such as organizational mortality, organizational death, bankruptcy, decline, retrenchment and failure have been used to characterize different forms and facets of organizational crisis. Communication network studies have typically focused on nodes (e.g. individuals or organizations), relationships between those nodes and subsequent affects of these relationships upon the network as a whole. Email networks in contemporary organizations are fairly representative of the underlying communication networks. In this study, we aim to explore changes in communication networks during organizational crisis. Design/methodology/approach We analyze the changing communication network structure at Enron Corporation during the crisis period (2000-2001). Our goal is to understand how communication patterns and structures are affected by organizational crisis. Drawing on communication network crisis and group behaviour theory, we test three propositions: (i) Communication network becomes increasingly transitive as organizations experience crisis; (ii) Communication network becomes less hierarchical as organizations are going through crisis; and (iii) Communication network becomes more reciprocal as organizations are going through crisis. Findings In our research analysis, we notice the support of these three propositions. The results of tests and their implications are discussed in this paper. Originality/value This study builds on an emerging stream of research area that applies social network analysis to organizational interaction data to study various questions related to organizational change and disintegration. Our findings could help managers in designing an effective approach in order to monitor regular functionalities of their organizations.
Purpose In the literature, various terms such as organizational mortality, organizational death, bankruptcy, decline, retrenchment and failure have been used to characterize different forms and facets of organizational crisis. Communication network studies have typically focused on nodes (e.g. individuals or organizations), relationships between those nodes and subsequent affects of these relationships upon the network as a whole. Email networks in contemporary organizations are fairly representative of the underlying communication networks. In this study, we aim to explore changes in communication networks during organizational crisis. Design/methodology/approach We analyze the changing communication network structure at Enron Corporation during the crisis period (2000-2001). Our goal is to understand how communication patterns and structures are affected by organizational crisis. Drawing on communication network crisis and group behaviour theory, we test three propositions: (i) Communication network becomes increasingly transitive as organizations experience crisis; (ii) Communication network becomes less hierarchical as organizations are going through crisis; and (iii) Communication network becomes more reciprocal as organizations are going through crisis. Findings In our research analysis, we notice the support of these three propositions. The results of tests and their implications are discussed in this paper. Originality/value This study builds on an emerging stream of research area that applies social network analysis to organizational interaction data to study various questions related to organizational change and disintegration. Our findings could help managers in designing an effective approach in order to monitor regular functionalities of their organizations.
