Informal information flow and strategy in the international firm
by Stuart Macdonald
International Journal of Technology Management (IJTM), Vol. 11, No. 1/2, 1996

Abstract: The demands of structure and control in the organisation accord information from official channels an importance beyond its value in sustaining operations. Yet, formal mechanisms seem unable to supply all the information senior management requires for the formulation of strategy. Frustrated by the paucity of the information the organisation is able to supply, those responsible for strategy may sometimes take extraordinary steps to acquire appropriate information. These, and other means of acquiring information informally, seem to be incompatible with the formal information systems of the organisation. Using evidence from large international firms, the paper looks at the acquisition of information for strategy by both formal and informal means. It concludes that formal mechanisms seem likely to suppress and distort the informal, leaving senior managers deprived of information important for strategy.

Online publication date: Fri, 22-May-2009

The full text of this article is only available to individual subscribers or to users at subscribing institutions.

 
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.

Pay per view:
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.

Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Technology Management (IJTM):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:

Username:        Password:          Forgotten your password?

Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.

If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com