Organizational memory profile: connecting roles of organizational memory to organizational form

Abstract

Listen

Translate article

One way to clarify, the concept of organizational memory, is by defining organizational memory components in terms of their roles in different organizational forms. A professional organization, where both the organizational form and the role of shared organizational information underwent several major changes during the three year case study, provides a concise real life opportunity to study such role variations. A new construct the 'organizational memory profile' is used to link the manifestations of organizational memory to organizational forms. The manifestations studied are the individuals, the transformation mechanism (such as routines), and the common information space. Different manifestations of organizational memory take on different roles depending upon the organizational form. The case study supports the following organizational memory profiles. With entrepreneurs and markets, the role of individuals is central but some transportation mechanisms and common information space are also needed. In hierarchies the focus is on transformation mechanisms, the embraced routines. Common information space is limited but still important for top management. In networks, the interdependence and collaboration are the key issues and the common information space is the main manifestation of organizational memory. The individuals interact and together form transformation mechanisms that carry the results of negotiations. The role of these negotiated routines is more central than expected.