Electronic Networks in Higher Education Institutions: The Case of Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.

Abstract

Until now, most of the scholarly articles on organizational electronic networks have been analyzed from a methodological standpoint. Using a unique database, this article aims to transcend the pure methodological analysis in order to study the effect that the organizational structure and publication activities has on emails dynamics of the P.Catholic University of Chile's Social Science Faculty. Our results are twofold: on the one hand, we find a strong differentiation between the communication role of the official authority and that of the epistemic authority; on the other hand, we find an emerging tendency within both subgroups to generate collaborative and collegiate systems that coexist with more hierarchical and bureaucratic organizational forms. We suggest that the co-existence of these two coordination forms shows an ongoing cultural and organizational change within this university-based milieu where academic recognition is not only obtained through teaching activities but rather through scientific and research activities.