Open access
NETWORKS OF INFORMAL STRUCTURES IN EDUCATION
Włodzimierz CHOJNACKI1, Adam KRUK2, Anna RULKIEWICZ3, Alina BETLEJ4
Publication language: Polish
Journal article
Special issue Lech W. Zacher in memoriam
Transformations No. 3 (118) 2023, Publication date: 29 September 2023
Keywords: network theory, network ties, healthy organization, hidden agendas, gray eminences, normative reference groups, symbolic interactionism, trust networks, extrapolation, bridging relationships, control and monitoring, values, actions.
Abstract Knowledge about the flow of data and information on the functioning of the network of informal structures of public institutions in sociological, psycho-logical, economic and pedagogical literature is still at the stage of early structur-ing, not to say amorphous or metaphorical in relation to needs. This unusual and hitherto underestimated social phenomenon now requires not only in-depth con-ceptualization and operationalization, analysis of the fluidity and dynamics of the flow and cognitive and research intuition, but above all the development of indicators for measuring its strength, direction and scope of impact. This need is evidenced by the few and dispersed results of scientific research, a small number of researchers dealing with the issue, difficulties in establishing contact with members of informal structures and identifying the roles performed, as well as with the description and explanation of functioning, complexity of relationships and dependencies, various contexts of cognitive interactions (remembering, memorizing and forgetting) and social, as well as dynamic changes that take place in the network of relations that occur both inside and outside informal structures at the micro, mezo- and macro-social level. The research objective of the article is to attempt an in-depth analysis of the network of informal structures function-ing in educational institutions, with particular emphasis on informally function-ing educational programs, including the role of actively interacting subjects - teachers and pupils/students, the subject of research and the context of symbolic interactions that take place during and social space within and across borders. The conceptual framework of the research adopted in their study was created by the following theories: network society by M. Castells, network organizational structures by D. Krackhard and J. Hanson, hidden educational programs by J. Dewey and Ph. W. Jackson, comparative and normative reference groups by R. Merton, symbolic rituals by R. Collins, interpersonal conflicts by Z. Rummel-Syski and Z. Ratajczak, relations at the micro-social level by R.B. Adler, L.B. Rosenfeld, R.F. Proctor. The thesis was adopted that the knowledge gathered and selected so far about the network of informal structures in education authorizes the conclusion that in the near future it may be used to develop more and more precise models, tools and measurement parameters. This should result in a better understanding of the net
Wydział Socjologii i Pedagogiki Szkoły Głównej Gospodarstwa Wiejskiego w Warszawie , Polska
ORCID: 0000-0003-2306-3066
E-mail: wlodzimierz_chojnacki@gmail.com
Katedra Dziennikarstwa Społecznej Akademii Nauk w Warszawie, Polska
ORCID: adam.kr@interia.eu
E-mail:
Prezes Zarządu Grupy LUXMED, Polska
ORCID: 0009-0002-3824-218X
E-mail: anna.rulkiewicz@gmail.com
Katedra Socjologii Ekonomicznej i Cyfrowej KUL, Fundacja Edukacyjna Transformacje, Polska
ORCID: 0000-0002-2729-6564
E-mail: alinabetlej@gmail.com