Electronic Weak Ties in Network Organisations

Granovetter’s theory on the strength of weak ties provides an analysis of processes in interpersonal networks forming a very fruitful micro-macro bridge in sociology. When applied to organizations, theories of weak ties give a basis for understanding the mechanisms of work interoperability and information exchange. Recently the term ‘virtual organization’ is increasingly used to describe a new organizational form including a network of companies. It is essential to examine weak ties and their implications in the context of virtual organizations. In this case, weak ties of interpersonal and group relations are increasingly mediated electronically, through the use of e-mail and other services of the new information and communication technologies. Furthermore, these theories may be used as tools to comprehend processes of mediatization at the organizational level. For instance, in this way one can analyze situations of managerial deficit present in virtual organizations by implementing the use of the ‘net-broker concept.’ Finally, the way information flows and is processed within an organization depends on the media technologies used. The way people interact and share information through a computer-mediated communication channel depends on the social context of the used media technology. We intend to illustrate this point in the emerging patterns of weak ties in virtual organizations.