A network analysis of information use in a public health organization

Organizational network analysis was used to study information use in a health department. Public health performance depends on specialized information that travels throughout an organization via communication networks among employees. In most cases, the interactions that occur within these networks are poorly understood and unmanaged. The goals of this study were to determine what links existed between information use and performance, and to assess organizational network analysis as a tool for public health management. Data on communication links among the health department's staff was obtained via survey, with a 93% response rate. Data on resources, tasks and knowledge was obtained from a concurrent research study for secondary analysis. These data were configured in matrices: agent x agent, agent x resources, agent x task, agent x knowledge, and agent x external organizations. These were analyzed as meta-matrix using Organizational Risk Analyzer (ORA) software. This produced reports at the individual, program, and organization level. The results yielded graphical representations of network structure and statistical reports on: quality of the information network; employees in key positions in the network; the status of experienced staff; and an analysis of a planned merger of two divisions. Findings revealed problems in information flow, including the likelihood that sub groups are controlling knowledge and resources; overspecialization of knowledge; potential for significant knowledge loss through retirement; little back up for personnel turnover; and informational silos. The findings suggest that the department needs greater redundancy and better cross program coordination, but has strengths such as efficient communication paths and good social density in the programs. The department's leaders offered feedback on specific strategies they intend to use to address knowledge loss, to increase shared situation awareness, and to take advantage of network strengths. This study has demonstrated that organizational network analysis has utility for this health department. Insights from the analysis have informed strategies for improving performance. The technique has potential for public health information management. Additional research is needed to refine network analysis methods for the public health domain.