A Connected World: Social Networks and Organizations

The study of organizational social networks emphasizes their structure and outcomes, with theoretical developments and research design questions. Debates include agency and structure, network volatility, and personality. Future research directions include brokerage, network cognition, and past ties.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 75 pages
Publication date: 20 July 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

This Element synthesizes the current state of research on organizational social networks, spanning from their early foundations to contemporary debates. It emphasizes the distinctive features of the social network perspective in organizational research, such as its focus on structure and outcomes. It explores the main theoretical developments and summarizes the research design challenges faced by organizational researchers when collecting and analyzing network data. The Element then delves into ongoing debates, ranging from agency and structure to network volatility and personality. Finally, it envisages future research directions on the role of brokerage for individuals and communities, network cognition, and the significance of past ties.

Overall, this Element offers an innovative approach to understanding organizational social networks, engaging in empirical network research, and fostering further theoretical development on the role of social interactions and connectedness in modern organizations.

ISBN-13: 9781009179492