logo
episode-header-image
Feb 2025
27m 48s

Organizational Networks

Kyle Polich
About this episode

Is it better to have your work team fully connected or sparsely connected?


In this episode we'll try to answer this question and more with our guest Hiroki Sayama, a SUNY Distinguished Professor and director of the Center for Complex Systems at Binghamton University.


Hiroki delves into the applications of network science in organizational structures and innovation dynamics by showing his recent work of extracting network structures from organizational charts to enable insights into decision-making and performance, He'll also cover how network connectivity impacts team creativity and innovation.


Key insights include how the structure of organizational networks—such as the depth of hierarchy or proximity to leadership—can influence corporate performance and how sparse network connectivity fosters more diverse and innovative ideas than fully connected networks.

Up next
Oct 5
Implicit Interactions
How do we design robots and autonomous vehicles that understand the unwritten rules of human behavior? Kyle speaks with Cornell Tech professor Wendy Ju about implicit interaction, "Wizard of Oz" prototyping, and what studying pedestrians, self-driving cars, and even robotic furni ... Show More
44m 34s
Sep 25
The Lived Informatics Model
The data we collect about ourselves can tell us a lot—but only if the technology collecting it actually fits into our lives. Daniel Epstein explores personal informatics, from fitness trackers and food journals to baby tracking and AI, and explains why abandoning a tracking tool ... Show More
34m 13s
Sep 9
Recommender Systems Today and Tomorrow
In the final episode of our Recommender Systems season, we explore the growing questions of trust, manipulation, privacy, fairness, sustainability, and user control. From fake reviews and shilling attacks to explainable recommendations and user-selected algorithms, we look at wha ... Show More
22m 46s
Recommended Episodes
Feb 2022
HS016 Team Structure for Technology Teams
Discussing what might drives team structure in Enterprise IT. 
31m 17s
Aug 2022
65. Ties That Bind: Why Remote and Hybrid Teams Need the Right Connection
<p>“We need to be much more adaptive in the way we think about hybrid work,” says <a href="https://www.fastersmarter.io/guests/michael-arena/">Michael Arena</a>. “Experiment, experiment, experiment.”</p><p>Innovation relies on teams connecting in very specific ways. But are those ... Show More
20m 58s
Jun 2023
Are Your Employees Captivated or Captured?
<p>Leaders frequently talk about purpose and vision. Too often, these concepts get stuck at the top and do not cascade down throughout the organization. BCG’s David Ritter explains how organizations can unlock latent productivity and creativity by connecting purpose and vision to ... Show More
22m 32s
Jan 2020
Internal Networks
Do you wish you were more plugged-in at your organization? Dan and Alison answer your questions with the help of Robin Abrahams, a research associate at Harvard Business School. They talk through what to do when you want to network at a company retreat, your manager is bothered b ... Show More
32m 57s
Sep 2023
Networking with Technology – The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
In an era where technology weaves intricate webs of connection, the age-old art of networking is undergoing a digital transformation. Join us in this thought-provoking episode as we delve into the world of networking enhanced by technology. From AI-powered assistants like ChatGPT ... Show More
18m 9s
Jun 2023
Episode 174 - Networking - Net-whiskey-ing
At a networking event, one of our listeners asked us to cover the topic of networking. In this episode, we will share our thoughts on networking and the success stories we’ve experienced from networking in our careers. Panelists: Ryan Burgess - @burgessdryan Jem Young - @JemYoung ... Show More
54m 58s
Apr 2021
S3E20: How Can I Network My Way Into McKinsey, Bain, or BCG?
Send us Fan MailNetworking Intensive: Register HereIn this episode, Namaan Mian (COO) and Stephanie Knight (Chief Learning Officer) debunk commonly held networking myths, lay out a roadmap for success, and share best practices and tips along the way. They cover: Why to networkWhe ... Show More
30m 44s
Feb 2023
79. Equity by Design: How Diversity Ignites Creativity
<p>If we want healthier companies, schools, and teams associate professor of organizational behavior <a href="https://www.fastersmarter.io/guests/adina-sterling/">Adina Sterling</a> says investing in the health of marginalized groups “can have enormous spillover effects for every ... Show More
24m 28s
Jul 2023
A Discussion about Agile Organizational Design
<p>In this episode of the Scrum.org Community Podcast, Host Dave West is joined by Professional Scrum Trainers and authors of the book <a href='https://www.amazon.com/Coaching-Agile-Organizations-Cesario-Ramos/dp/0135853192'>Creating Agile Organizations, A Systemic Approach</a>, ... Show More
21m 13s
Jun 2021
Office Hours: Robo-advisors, Team Design, and the Consequences of Innovation
Dr. Sara Beckman of UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business joins Scott to answer a question about innovation in the robo-advisor space. They also share their thoughts on the costs and benefits of blockchain, how to structure successful teams, and why it’s crucial to have mentors y ... Show More
30m 50s