Inter-Organisational Collaboration; A Social Network Analysis Approach

This research-in-progress is concerned with assessing and supporting the role of informal networks within an inter-organisational R and D collaboration. Social network analysis (SNA) tools have been used to 'map' important networks within organisations however, a review of the literature to-date, shows that the applications of these tools to an inter-organisational collaboration context is almost non-existent. In phase 1 of this research, an exploratory study will be undertaken whereby SNA software tools will be used to identify and specify the structural properties of an inter-organisational network. Building upon the data generated in phase 1, the 2nd phase of this study is concerned with developing a framework to promote effective collaboration within an inter-organisational network. This framework will be underpinned by complexity theory concepts. Many authors have called for the application of complexity theories to better understand social networks, yet few authors have systematically applied these concepts.