Radical changes in inter-organizational network structures: The longitudinal gap

Abstract

The main goal of the research presented in this paper is to provide an overview of the available insights concerning radical changes in inter-organizational network structures. The following research question has been formulated: what is known about the way organizations in networks deal with, and are affected by, radical changes in inter-organizational network structures? In order to answer this question, a review of the most relevant literature dealing with changes in network structure over time is presented. The literature reviewed has been analyzed by comparing the role of change in the analysis (independent vs. dependent variable) as well as the manner in which change is conceptualized (incremental vs. radical change and dyadic vs. network change). It is found that studies that observe networks changing over time are scarce. Nevertheless, the available studies provide some interesting insights concerning the formation, evolution and termination of dyadic ties, network evolution, and the effects of (radical) changes in network structure. However, more research on several specific topics seems necessary. These topics are: the link between dyadic change and change at the network level, the evolution of network structures, the processes through which critical events lead to changes in network structures, and the effects of radical changes in network structures.