Title :
Impact of knowledge networking and organizational learning on the performance of organizations
Author :
Glatz, Georg ; Ackerlauer, Harald ; Heiss, Michael ; Damian, Daniela
Author_Institution :
Knowledge, Innovation & Technol., Siemens IT Solutions & Services, Vienna, Austria
fDate :
July 29 2007-Aug. 1 2007
Abstract :
This paper analyzes the impact of different kinds of change on the performance of an organization, depending on the underlying organizational form: hierarchical organizations are optimized top-down with only formal communication, while in networked organizations members have many lateral ties and informal communication channels are available. Based on the hypothesis that in face of change networked organizations learn faster than purely hierarchical ones, a model for performance comparison between these two organizational types is introduced. A theorem is presented and proved, which shows that as long as the communication overhead required for networking activities is smaller than a certain amount, an organization with networking culture and structures performs better than a corresponding purely hierarchical organization. Finally, a series of case studies providing evidence supporting the hypothesis will be presented examining the effects of networking at Siemens IT Solutions and Services PSE at project, corporate, and international level.
Keywords :
knowledge management; organisational aspects; knowledge networking; organizational learning; organizational performance; Buildings; Communication channels; Decision making; Environmental economics; Environmental management; Paper technology; Performance analysis; Stability; Stress; Technological innovation; Change; knowledge networking; organizational learning; organizational performance;
Conference_Titel :
Engineering Management Conference, 2007 IEEE International
Conference_Location :
Austin, TX
Print_ISBN :
978-1-4244-2145-9
Electronic_ISBN :
978-1-4244-2146-6
DOI :
10.1109/IEMC.2007.5235057