Hierarchical structures of communication in a network organization

SummaryWe analyze the intranet communication behavior of members of a company that was deeply committed to the principles of non-hierarchical communication structures and of post-bureaucratic organization. We observe a split between the symbolic activities for creating a non-hierarchical network organization and the actual intranet communication behavior of the organization members. In their daily communication on the intranet, they persistently reproduced hierarchical structures and official channels—elements typically associated with bureaucratic organizations. Further, we find many signals in the content of the intranet messages, reflecting a social hierarchy that has evolved within the organization. Thus, despite rhetoric to the contrary, our findings regarding this communication behavior show that, to all intents and purposes, this particular organization displayed characteristics similar to those of a traditional bureaucratic organization.