ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses key terms drawn from the field of network analysis such as tie, node, tie strength, and centrality, and place these in an organizational context. Intra-organization networks provide the social infrastructure to manage exchange effectively. Exchange of information is essential for an organization to foster a climate of innovation in any company. Organization Network Analysis (ONA) provides fact-based insights into the networks within an organization, which people actually collaborate, or fail to do so, and how knowledge spreads inside an organization. Innovative knowledge does not easily spread inside organizations. The exchange of knowledge and information is dependent on the structural characteristics found in the networks of an organization. Centrality provides an evaluation of the position of individuals within the network in terms of how close they are to the 'center' of the action in a network.
