Modelling information-flow in formal organisations

Abstract

The Dutch Ministry of Defence fulfils a crucial role in keeping the Dutch kingdom safe. From missions overseas to providing aid in the case of natural disasters, correct and efficient information-flow is critical for their operations. When a situation occurs, everything is dropped to make sure that they can handle it. The Royal Dutch Army, Navy, Airforce and Marechaussee make up the armed forces part of the military. Besides the branches of the armed forces, there are two support branches. Under one of them, Defensie Ondersteuningscommando, the Air Transport Unit of the Dutch military is located. This unit plans and advises on all forms of air transport for the Ministry of Defence, a unit where correct and timely information is flow critical.
This thesis attempts to answer the following research question: What are the effects of formal network structures within public organisations on their information-flow quality? Attempting to fill gaps in literature surrounding the effect of formal network structures on information-flow quality. The study defines information-flow which is used for the KPIs. The effects of formal network structures on information-flow quality are studied using an ABM model developed in this thesis. The model is tested on the Air Transport Unit network and a diverse set of randomly generated networks. In this case, key findings from the model results indicate that in the case hierarchy, a more hierarchical structure positively affects their data correctness. However, this more hierarchical structure negatively affects their information timeliness. Employee business does not seem to be affected by hierarchy. Other findings relating to the number of employees whose function it is to control data for mistakes, have significant effects on improving data correctness while at the same time, negatively affecting the timeliness of information. Indicating that the optimum, hierarchical, or less hierarchical organisation lies with the ambitions and goals of an organisation.