lnformal Networks LO7723

Dave Buffenbarger (dwbuff@cris.com)
Mon, 03 Jun 1996 23:16:40 -0700

In LO7699, Dr. Ivan Blanco wrote:

> I don't know if one can really
> formalize the informal networks! Once formalized is not an informal
> network any more, and new informal networks may develop that would take
> into consideration that the network can be formalized by "management."
> Am I making any sense?

To me you are, Ivan. The sense of learning we talk about on this exchange
"feels" to me like it takes much more than the coordinated coecrcion of a
management group. Networks of a volunteer nature are natural,
spontaneous, chaotic and live because of the organism (organization's)
natural need. Once managed, they are just that managed, independent of
need.

And what purpose do these networks serve? I would pose that one of them
is just in time learning or knowledge transfer. Management cannot know
what needs to be learned since the knowledge needed across an organization
is evolving.

Just as a network can spring to life based on a need, so should it be
allowed to die a natural death when the need is gone. So far, I have not
seen the willingness to die occur. The network becomes, in a broader
sense, a social support mechanism upon which people learn to rely.

Have a great day!!

Dave Buffenbarger
Organizational Improvement Coach
Dow Chemical Company
(517) 638-7080
dwbuff@pop3.cris.com

-- 

Dave Buffenbarger <dwbuff@cris.com>

Learning-org -- An Internet Dialog on Learning Organizations For info: <rkarash@karash.com> -or- <http://world.std.com/~lo/>