Social Network Analysis

Social Network Analysis (SNA) is a tool used to examine relationships and the flow of information between people, teams, or departments within an organization. Instead of focusing on the formal structure of a company, SNA looks at actual interactions – who works with whom, how often, and in what context. This helps to better understand how knowledge and information truly circulate within the organization.

SNA plays a significant role in knowledge management. It helps identify key individuals in the knowledge-sharing process – experts and brokers who connect different groups and enable information flow. It also reveals so-called "silos" – departments or groups with limited contact with the rest of the organization, which can hinder knowledge exchange. With this insight, organizations can plan development activities, support collaboration across teams, and implement changes more effectively.

SNA can support many strategic decisions, such as building effective project teams, identifying informal leaders, planning succession, fostering innovation, or reorganizing the company. For example, before implementing major changes, it’s useful to identify who truly influences others and can help gain acceptance for the change.

Social network analysis is conducted on three levels:

• Macro – covers the entire organization and helps assess the overall network cohesion, detect gaps in communication, and examine connections between departments.

Fig.1 Macro Social network

• Meso – focuses on groups, departments, or teams, analyzing relationships within and between them, which supports evaluating the effectiveness of collaboration.

Fig.2 Meso Social network

• Micro – concentrates on individuals and their connections. It identifies central figures in knowledge flow, as well as those who may be left out of communication loops.

Fig.3 Micro Social network

In summary, SNA is a powerful tool that enhances knowledge management, improves communication, and supports better-informed strategic decision-making within organizations.