Understanding informal networks in higher education institutions : theoretical concepts from a Russian and Norwegian perspective

This article discusses theoretical concepts with regard to informal networks in the Russian and Norwegian society and higher education institutions (HEI) in particular. Informal networks are operative in both public and private organizations criss-crossing social and job-related networks within thes...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Goes, Sander
Other Authors: fi=Arktinen keskus|en=Arctic Centre|
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: fi=Lapin yliopisto, Arktinen keskus|en=University of Lapland, Arctic Centre| 2015
Subjects:
Online Access:http://lauda.ulapland.fi/handle/10024/62259
http://nbn-resolving.org/URN:NBN:fi:ula-201512211409
Description
Summary:This article discusses theoretical concepts with regard to informal networks in the Russian and Norwegian society and higher education institutions (HEI) in particular. Informal networks are operative in both public and private organizations criss-crossing social and job-related networks within these organizations. Formal and informal contacts between representatives of HEIs in the Barents region are often the result of years of close cooperation on student exchange, research projects and joint academic programmes. The aim of this study is to explain theoretical perspectives in relation to informal networks from a Norwegian and a Russian perspective. Understanding both perspectives is essential before describing informal networks across different HEIs in the Barents region and valuable if we seek to study the impact of informal networks on the formal decision-making process. Informal networks are perceived differently because the formal structure in which they operate is different. Analysing the formal structure is therefore suggested in order to better understand the different perspectives surrounding formal/informal networks. acceptedVersion