Attention to informal communication networks within URLanizations has grown in recent decades. While research has documented the role of individual cognition and social structure in understanding information search URLanizations, this article emphasizes the importance of formal hierarchy. We argue that the structural attributes of bureaucracies are too important to be neglected when modeling knowledge flows in URLanizations. Empirically, we examine interpersonal information seeking patterns among 143 employees in a small city government, using exponential random graph modeling  . The results suggest that formal structure strongly shapes information search patterns while accounting for social network variables and individual level perceptions. We find that departmental membership, hierarchical layers, supervisory status, power proximity, and permission rules all affect the information search of employees. Understanding the effects URLanizational structure on information search networks will offer opportunities to improve information flows in URLanizations via design choices.
Attention to informal communication networks within URLanizations has grown in recent decades. While research has documented the role of individual cognition and social structure in understanding information search URLanizations, this article emphasizes the importance of formal hierarchy. We argue that the structural attributes of bureaucracies are too important to be neglected when modeling knowledge flows in URLanizations. Empirically, we examine interpersonal information seeking patterns among 143 employees in a small city government, using exponential random graph modeling (ERGM) . The results suggest that formal structure strongly shapes information search patterns while accounting for social network variables and individual level perceptions. We find that formal status, permission pathways, and departmental membership all affect the information search of employees. Understanding the effects URLanizational structure on information search networks will offer opportunities to improve information flows in URLanizations via design choices.
A
(ERGM)
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departmental membership, hierarchical layers, supervisory status, power proximity, and permission rules
formal status, permission pathways, and departmental membership