How can social network analysis improve the management of steering communities?

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to explore how social network analysis (SNA) tools can improve the management of steering communities. These hybrid collectives, between spontaneous communities and structures controlled by classic hierarchical mechanisms, aim to foster the development of dialogue and knowledge useful for achieving organizational objectives. They present specific managerial challenges: it is indeed a matter of succeeding in fostering and steering these collectives without depriving them of the richness of community functioning. It is also necessary to reconcile this with some form of self-organization and control, and to develop identity mechanisms within these intentionally created communities. We consider SNA a useful method for managers to address these issues. SNA is a set of methods aimed at investigating existing relationships between social units. SNA provides a graphical representation of different kinds of connections as well as useful indicators for describing the structure of the network. Researchers can use SNA to help managers assess the situation of a community regarding its objectives in order to make appropriate adjustments. The article presents research conducted in a steering community of practice within a research and development organization.