Organizational Memory Profile: Connecting Roles of Organizational Memory to Organizational Form

One way to clarify the concept of organizational metnory is by defining organizational memory components in terms of their roles in different organizational forms. In this way the place and function of organizational memory in a business organization can be better understood 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 projile: is used to link the manifestations of organizational memory to organizational forms. The manifestations studied are the individuals, the transformation mechanisms (such as routines), and the common information space. A key message of this study is that direrent maniyestations of organizational memory take on d@erent roles depending upon the organizational form. The case study gives support to the following organizational memory proJles, With entrepreneurs and markets, the role of individuals is central, but some transformation mechanisms and common information space are also needed. In hierarchies, the focus is on transformation mechanisms, the enforced 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.