15.992 Networks & Organization Session 1: Introduction Instructor: Christopher Wheat

15.992Networks & Organization

Session 1: IntroductionInstructor: Christopher Wheat

Why Study Networks?

15.992 Networks & Organization – S01.2

Sociological significance Sociology is essentially about the study of social

structure The relationship is one of the key uniquely

sociological constructs Ubiquity of social networks

Frequent claim that “it’s not what you know, but who you know”

Everyone’s talking about social networking (Facebook, MySpace, etc.)

© 2005-2008 MIT Sloan School of Management

Why Study Networks…Critically?


Some studies of “social networks” aren’t so clearly sociological Is documenting the increased use of LinkedIn or

country-by-country differences in MySpace usage really a network study?

Some claims about “networking” aren’t self evidently true… How would you know if it’s not what you know?

Main objectives: Become a critical consumer of social network research Become a proficient producer of (well-grounded) social

network research


The Main Question


In what ways are relationships, exchanges, and the structure thereof implicated in social processes and outcomes?

Part I: Developing Network Analytic Methods Basic Structure: e.g. Dyads, Triads, Groups & Roles Inference Methods for Identifying Structural

Features Part II: Applying Network Methods to

Management and Organizational Phenomena Group Processes, Labor Markets, Innovation,

Strategy & Global Management


Basic Structure: Dyads


What can happen in a simple relationship? Symmetric processes:

Information sharing Mutual influence

Asymmetric processes: Power & Influence

Method question: How can we tease apart one from the other?


Basic Structure: Triads


What can we learn from ties among three actors that we can’t learn from ties between two? Micro-processes of group formation Brokerage Differential popularity & attractiveness structures

Why do we care about this in the study of social organization?


Global Structure: Complete Networks


What can you learn from a complete network that you can’t learn from local structure? Contextual centrality Small world phenomena

What kinds of organizational questions does this relate to?


Networks and Role Structures


Do relationships between actors tell us anything about typologies of these actors? Defining equivalence of relational patterns Relationships between hypothesized roles as an

object of study Methods to elicit role structures

How do network-identified roles shape organizational outcomes? What constitutes a “sufficient” study of

organizational roles? Do some roles perform better than others?


Network Dynamics


How do networks change over time? What role does the agency of individual actors

play in shaping network dynamics? How can change in networks be effectively

modeled? What kind of structural claims can be made

without a considering dynamics?


Cognitive Networks


Do perceptions of & beliefs about networks matter? Do actors agree, in general, in their perceptions of

network structure? How should we think about networks if they don’t? What are some of the consequences of actor

disagreement about network structure?


Inference and Network Structure


How can we statistically assess the relevance of structural features of networks What assumptions do we need to make in order to

draw statistical conclusions? Does this change the way we think about “non-

parametric” social network analyses?


Networks and Group Process


How are individuals within groups affected by network structures? Homophily processes Group demography Antecedents of creativity & productivity


Networks and Labor Markets


In what ways do networks help us understand differential labor market outcomes? How do people find out about jobs? How do jobs find out about people? How do network explanations of labor market

outcomes compare to other explanations?


Networks, Performance and Competition


How is firm and organizational performance affected by network position? Network position as a source of structural

advantage Status-based competition Alliance & interlock structures and performance


Networks, Technology and Innovation


Are networks useful in understanding the role of technology and innovation in organizational outcomes Diffusion of technology Technology-based competition Collaboration processes between organizations


Networks and the Global Economy


Are network analytic constructs useful in explaining the social structure of the global economy? Do network positions affect states in the same

ways that they affect individuals and/or organizations?

Are there other explanations for global economic structures and outcomes?


Seminar Mechanics: Readings


Required reading All available on-line (for free) May change slightly—watch the website! Open to suggestions for some changes

Optional reading Articles that are related but not central Reference readings from textbooks

Wasserman & Faust: Good general overview if not a bit dated

de Nooy, et. al.: Kind of a manual for Pajek, but helpful Scott: Interesting overview Doreian, et. al.: Very specific text on blockmodeling


Seminar Mechanics: Grading


Pre-class memos (25%) Present a critique or coherent set of questions regarding the

week’s readings Must involve at least two articles Roughly 2 pages long Can miss memo for one week with no penalty Post by 5:00pm on Tuesday night!

Class participation (15%) Final paper (60%)

Should be “publication quality” Brief proposal (2 page) due October 29th

Final paper due Wednesday, December 10th


Documents

15.992 Networks & Organization Session 1: Introduction Instructor: Christopher Wheat