Page "Organizational communication" Paragraph 21

If it's assumed that messages may move in both directions between stations in the networks, it is easy to see that some individuals occupy key positions with regard to the number of messages they handle and the degree to which they exercise control over the flow of information.

For example, the person represented by the central dot in the " Star " handles all messages in the group.

In contrast, individuals who occupy stations at the edges of the pattern handle fewer messages and have little or no control over the flow of information. These " peripheral " individuals can communicate with only one or two other persons and must depend entirely on others to relay their messages if they wish to extend their range.