Network structures
Networks are made up of people and the links between them, and the way that these links are organised has a big effect on who gets what information, and the influence that they may have. The diagram shows three types of networks, which we have called “Join us”, “Join in” and “Join up” to focus on the different relationships that may underly different structures.
Join us
This stype of network is essentially top-down, and usually defined by a mailing list of contacts
“Broadcasts” information from the centre through a newsletter and similar methods
May take views from its members
Controls information flows and content
Minimum connections between members encouraged
Online tools likely to be non-interactive website and/or email newsletter
Focus is on the centre
Join In
This type of network has groups or clusters within the overall network. These may become communities of interest or of practice (people tacking similar tasks)
Central support but not direction
Information shared within community of interest and published across the network
Information flow and content generated by communities
Connections formed by cluster
Online tools may be email lists or interactive websites
Focus is the group
Join Up
In this type of network there is no central control. It is much more fluid, and groups can form and dissolve.
Different people may organise get-togethers at different times
Capable of rich sets of connections, but needs to worked at
Online vehicles: email, interactive web sites, and a range of other tools
Focus is on people