Argues that the metaphor of "networks" is valid only in reference to formal relationships, not informal connections such as self-help groups or family and friends. Evaluates uses of network analysis and concludes that "circle" may be a better metaphor for informal connections. Contains 63 references. (SK)

At the present time the social sciences implicitly or explicitly start from a normative vision which has a dialectical objective: a reasoning that is at once theoretical and practical, or that is both a political and a scientific discourse. A focus on Jurgen Habermas' theory of communicative action provides possibilities of shifting the frontier…

Focusing on the analysis of communication networks within organizations with an eye toward implications for study of external communication, this paper (1) develops a systems theory/communication view of the nature of formal organizations, (2) illustrates the notion of holistic organizational communication networks in organizations which include…