TYPES OF INTRA-ORGANIZATIONAL NETWORKS AND UPWARD STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION

This paper explores the relationships between intra-organizational networks and information flows using survey research from 137 business units of established Japanese firms. We focus specifically on the upward flow of strategic information from the middle and operational levels, and mainly examine the relationships between intra-organizational networks and upward information flow. The results reveal that an increase in the number of superiors who must be persuaded of an initiative.s merits is highly detrimental to strategic information flow within an organization, whereas support from superiors tends to increase information flow. Based on these results, we contend that the state of intra-organizational networks, especially those involving superiors, is a key factor in activating emergent strategies in a business organization.