The People Who Make Organizations Go or Stop - Article Example

ADSM Review Template Operations Management OPS 6310 NAME: UINVERSITY ID: ARTICLE TITLE: SUMMARY (100-150 words) Provide a summary in your own words on the article read. Informal networks have an integral role to play in most companies, in spite of being treated as an enemy in most organizations. This article notes that executive can leverage on these informal networks to make communication within the organization successful. The article presents four core categories of informal network enablers each with their own role. First off, the central connectors serve as a link between the people within an informal networks and have usually failed to be acknowledged in the organizations. The second category discussed in the article are boundary spanners who connect the informal networks that are similar or different in nature and often cross their jurisdictions to ensure that the networks are connected and any barriers are done away with. The article also elucidates on information brokers whose mandate is to ensure the unison of different informal networks. The article further argues that the actions of the information brokers keeps the flames of the holistic informal network burning. The last batch of important people discussed in the article, with relevance to informal networks, are peripheral specialists who offer expertise to anyone in need within the informal networks. LEARNING POINTS Write the main learning points from reading this article. 1. Informal networks are essential in organizations and have four enablers. 2. The enablers include the central connectors, boundary spanners, information brokers, and peripheral specialists. 3. Social network analysis makes easier the identification and management of informal networks. 4. For the informal network enablers there could or could not be rewards depending on the organization in question. 5. The process of mapping the informal network enablers is sequential. 6. Personal network management and its role in informal networks. CRITICAL ANALYSIS The authors in this article keep key focus on the informal networks that have for quite some time been neglected within companies for one reason or another. The article has used formal language and does have the contents logically flowing. However, the authors’ arrangement of the facts is not appealing. Unless a reader gets keen enough to the mechanics of the paper, they risk getting lost easily. The author has used visual presentations in the form of a diagram, which make the points even more understandable. I do agree with the authors’ stand point that the four informal network enablers have importance in organizations and need to be identified by the executive. Even though the author focuses on rewards and lack of rewards thereof, they fail to categorically base their arguments on relevant theories on motivation of employees. Additionally, despite being keen enough to elaborate on the four enablers even with the use of diagrams, the author still does not exactly use real-time examples to emphasize the points. The examples used in the articles are also generalized in a way that the managers who want to use social network analysis cannot easily do so. The sections of the articles are generalized. It is not easy to spot the introduction, the body and conclusion. As a matter of fact the article lacks an abstract and a conclusion altogether. However, the subheadings that are loaded with the core message of the article are visible in the article. The authors are very persuasive in their writing and the explanations used as well as the illustrations make the reader more attached to the article. The article despite being complete fails to offer a list of references in the end that were possibly consulted when compiling it. Information wise, the article is spot on. Additionally, the article is very interesting to read, exiting and well-written. The authors have achieved the intended goal of elaborating on what informal networks are, who manages them and who is important in the informal networks. In conclusion, the article is well represented and the subject matter is very lucid. However, there is need for the authors to incorporate evidence from other literature to strongly drive the point home. Additionally, instead of using real names the authors should consider using relevant positions that are present in organizational structures so as to reflect the applicability of the contents of the article to wide range of industries. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS How could you apply the subject matter from the article? There are very many applications of the subject matter of the article. First off, through the information of the social network analysis am able to get into the foot of the executives and the frontline managers in order to better coordinate activities in an organization in question. I am also this far able to identify various enablers of informal networks and how to effectively leverage on their skills to strengthen the organizational productivity. Additionally, I am also able to research on the relevant data pertaining social networks. This knowledge also enables me to identify the dark side of each enabler such as the central connectors who have the capacity to incapacitate the whole informal network. This knowledge also makes me well informed of the misconceptions that have been held by the executives on the peripheral specialists who are a gold mine in waiting within organizations. This information also gives me an upper hand in appreciating the role of social network analysis in designing and strengthening relationships within organizations. In a nutshell, the subject matter herein helps me understand social networks better as well as the key performance areas that these informal social networks can be applied. The insights from this article have opened up my mind in that given a real case scenario, I am able to assess the types of networks that are present and the roles that are played by every individual in an organization. In the event that am an advisor for a crisis management of human resource in an organization, I am also able to argue using the points in this article to uncover the real source of a problem and recommend the possible solutions. OTHER COMMENTS This article is an eye opener to the types of networks that exist in organizations other than the common formal networks. The analysis of this article is also an avenue to help me in better understanding articles that relate to the same. The analysis of this article is also a good opportunity that presents an avenue of critiquing other articles whether in this field or not. Generally, such chances of analyzing articles give one an opportunity to think outside the box and have a wider view of current issues within the business environment. Signature: Read More