Social Network Research Research Articles

Civil liability of chains and networks in health care

This article discusses some legal implications of networks, in particular the liability of networks and chains in health care. We start with a brief description of common tendencies in social and organisation network research. Subsequently we explain how certain characteristics of networks are or are not found relevant from a legal perspective. Only a subset of networks and network properties is generally recognised as an interesting subject for legal research. The proporties that are legally relevant are not commonly investigated in social and organisational network research. Finally we will elaborate the consequences of these observations for the legal analysis of liability of health care networks and chains.

AGENTES DE IMPLEMENTAÇÃO: MEDIAÇÃO, DINÂMICAS E ESTRUTURAS RELACIONAIS

O presente trabalho aborda a implementação das políticas públicas no nível local, em áreas de alta concentração de pobreza, a partir do estudo da mediação estrutural e dinâmica estabelecida pelos agentes implementadores entre a população e o poder público. Analisamos como esses agentes de implementação realizam suas práticas a partir da construção de mecanismos relacionais, da sua estrutura de redes pessoais e da interface entre a ação pública e a sociedade, e suas consequências no acesso da população aos serviços públicos. Os resultados pretendem contribuir para a compreensão da implementação local no resultados das políticas públicas no arranjo federativo brasileiro. Os resultados empíricos usados para a reflexão da temática do trabalho foram gerados em estudos qualitativos, com base etnográfica, e de aná­lise de redes sociais desenvolvidos com Agentes Comunitários de Saúde em distintas regiões do Brasil, entre 2004 e 2005. Foram estudados ACS dos municípios de Sobral, São Paulo, Taboão da Serra e Santo André, a partir de acompanhamento etnográfico de suas ações e com levantamento das redes sociais dos agentes e da comunidade de implementação do Programa Saúde da Família. PALAVRAS-CHAVE Redes sociais, políticas públicas, implementação de políticas, gestão pública e saúde, Agentes Comunitários de Saúde. ABSTRACT This paper discusses the implementation of public policies at the local level in areas of high concentration of poverty by the study of mediation and structural dynamics established by the implementing agents in the population and government. We analyze how these agents perform their practical implementation and by the construction of relational mechanisms and their network structure and its consequences in people’s access to public services. The results are intended to contribute to the understanding of the explanatory role of location in the results of public policies in the Brazilian federal arrangement. The empirical results were generated in qualitative studies and analysis of social networks developed with Community Health Workers in different regions of Brazil between 2004 and 2005. We studied Agents from four Brazilian municipalities: Sobral, São Paulo, Taboão da Serra and Santo André. We did ethnographic research to understand their practices and also social network research, considering the networks from the agents and also from the implementation policy. KEYWORDS Social networks, public policy, implementation policy, health public policy, Community Health Workers.

Entrepreneurship Research on Network Processes: A Review and Ways Forward

Although entrepreneurship research on networks has studied issues pertaining to network content, governance and structure, we believe it requires a greater understanding of network processes. In this paper, we review how the entrepreneurship literature interprets and applies the concept of process to the study of networks. This allows us to identify areas for future investigation. Our work is also informed by social network theory and research on dyadic interactions in business networks. The paper concludes by presenting a theoretical framework for conceptualizing and studying the various processes associated with network development.

Organizational Social Network Research:Core Ideas and Key Debates

Organizational Social Network Research:<i>Core Ideas and Key Debates</i>

Allocation to Social Positions in Class

Using the approach of qualitative social network research, this article focuses on two ‘systems of social inequality’ on the basis of which learning is organized: one is the institutional and organizational framework structuring the encounters between teachers and students, the other is a system of social inequality incorporated at the level of emotions and affections. Both systems seem to be virtually inevitable and, due to the tacit nature of their workings in class interactions, escape attempts at deliberate control. The article demonstrates how the web of social relationships in the early grades acts to reinforce both systems of social inequality and how they mutually affect one another in the class setting. Two first grade classes were studied for this purpose using mixed methods. The findings clearly support these conclusions: in both classes under study, a configuration of relationships consisting of a range of distinct (student) positions has emerged, and all parties involved have a similar perception of this social configuration. These social positions, each of which offer different opportunities for learning, are reflected both in interactions (as evidenced by video analysis) and the students’ stories (as evidenced in interviews). Such stabilization processes determine student careers early on and render the class setting ‘porous’ as a space of learning.

Organizational Social Network Research:Core Ideas and Key Debates

Abstract Given the growing popularity of the social network perspective across diverse organizational subject areas, this review examines the coherence of the research tradition (in terms of leading ideas from which the diversity of new research derives) and appraises current directions and controversies. The leading ideas at the heart of the organizational social network research program include: an emphasis on relations between actors; the embeddedness of exchange in social relations; the assumption that dyadic relationships do not occur in isolation, but rather form a complex structural pattern of connectivity and cleavage beyond the dyad; and the belief that social network connections matter in terms of outcomes to both actors and groups of actors across a range of indicators. These leading ideas are articulated in current debates that center on issues of actor characteristics, agency, cognition, cooperation versus competition, and boundary specification. To complement the review, we provide a glossar...

Anti-Social Powers and the Regulation of Street Sex Work

This article focuses on the use of anti-social behavior powers in relation to a group of vulnerable women – street sex workers. It illustrates how the use of legal tools – anti-social behavior orders and public nuisance injunctions – against sex workers has been both misplaced and ineffective. The article also considers the use of anti-social powers in light of the government's leaning towards the coercive (or some might argue the compulsory) rehabilitation of sex workers. In doing so, it draws attention to the lack of research on the impact of both exclusion orders and rehabilitation orders for sex workers. Whilst it is important to fill this knowledge gap, it is argued that future investigations in this area would benefit from social network research approaches.

A multilevel view on interpersonal knowledge transfer

AbstractKnowledge transfer among employees is a critical enabler of organizational learning. In this article, the direct and moderating effects of the multilevel (i.e., dyadic and individual levels) antecedents of knowledge transfer are examined based on social network and knowledge management research. By analyzing the survey responses from eight R&amp;D groups of five firms using hierarchical linear modeling, we find that structural equivalence significantly influences interpersonal knowledge transfer at the dyadic level, even when strength of ties is controlled. At the individual level, the knowledge recipient's motivational factors such as group identification and the perceived expertise of colleagues show significant effects on knowledge transfer. Finally, the effect of strength of ties at the dyadic level is more influential when the recipient's group identification is low.

A Conceptual Framework of the Effects of Positive Affect and Affective Relationships on Group Knowledge Networks

A theoretical model integrating research in social psychology and group knowledge networks regarding the pervasive influence of affect on group transactive memory systems (TMSs) is presented. The proposed affective transactive memory (ATM) model extending TMS beyond its cognitive tradition provides a promising interdisciplinary theoretical base for future research. The role of positive affect (PA) in the three dimensions of TMS effectiveness—accuracy in expertise recognition, sharedness of knowledge, and member participation—are discussed. Propositions are presented regarding the effects of members' PA and affective relationships on member information retrieval and allocation, which is further explored as four attribute and relational effects in knowledge networks. Ways to further integrate affect into contemporary small group knowledge network theorizing and research are suggested.

Looking Back and Forging Ahead: Thirty Years of Social Network Research on the World-System

We review three decades of research linking social network methods with world systems theory. We identify four themes nested within two versions of a general social network methodology—the identification of network Roles and Position. The themes vary by the type of data and the definition of equivalence used to identify roles and positions. Second, we provide a demonstration of the general methodological approach taken in the literature, applying a recent methodological innovation to a newly compiled large global trade dataset. The results identify the expected core/periphery interaction pattern, suggesting that it is a fundamental feature of cross-national trade data, regardless of how the data are analyzed. We conclude by suggesting both methodological and substantive directions for future social network research on the world-system.

Network Bridging Potential in Later Life

Objective. Much work in social gerontology has examined older adults' social connectedness, but we know little about the extent to which older adults occupy positions of power and independence in their networks. The author uses health and life-course frameworks to understand older adults' prospects of occupying bridging positions between otherwise unconnected individuals. Methods. Egocentric social network data were collected from a nationally representative sample of 3,005 older adults between the ages of 57 and 85 in 2005-2006. A series of multivariate regression analyses was used to examine how health and life-course factors relate to bridging. Results. Age is not significantly associated with bridging. However, retirees and people with poor health are less likely to have bridging potential. At the same time, widows are more likely to serve as bridges. Discussion. The discusses the need for more dialogue between social network researchers and social gerontologists to help explain older adults' bridging prospects.

Social networks as an approach to the enhancement of collaboration among scientists

The private use of online social networks is exceedingly popular. In business environments, web services of such kind as well as proprietary networking solutions are likewise deployed. Online social networks help people socialise and map business relations. In addition, employees use social web services to coordinate tasks and collaboratively manage projects. In the recent past, social networking emerged as a key communication channel in addition to traditional e-mail. However, our study shows that online social networks in research are not used to the same extent. The problem is that the existing solutions do not meet the requirements of the research community. In this article, we propose a conceptual design for the enhancement of online collaboration in the academic environment.

Model of Acceptance with Peer Support: A Social Network Perspective to Understand Employees' System Use

Prior research has extensively studied individual adoption and use of information systems, primarily using beliefs as predictors of behavioral intention to use a system that in turn predicts system use. We propose a model of acceptance with peer support (MAPS) that integrates prior individual-level research with social networks constructs. We argue that an individual's embeddedness in the social network of the organizational unit implementing a new information system can enhance our understanding of technology use. An individual's coworkers can be important sources of help in overcoming knowledge barriers constraining use of a complex system, and such interactions with others can determine an employee's ability to influence eventual system configuration and features. We incorporate network density (reflecting get-help ties for an employee) and network centrality (reflecting give-help ties for an employee), drawn from prior social network research, as key predictors of system use. Further, we conceptualize valued network density and valued network centrality, both of which take into account ties to those with relevant system-related information, knowledge, and resources, and employ them as additional predictors. We suggest that these constructs together are coping and influencing pathways by which they have an effect on system use. We conducted a 3-month long study of 87 employees in one business unit in an organization. The results confirmed our theory that social network constructs can significantly enhance our understanding of system use over and above predictors from prior individual-level adoption research.

Functional Support Associated with Belonging to the Red Hat Society®, a Leisure-Based Social Network

Researchers have addressed the structure of leisure-based social networks but have given little attention to their functional outcomes, especially among older women. A leisure-based social network popular among older women but little studied is the Red Hat Society®. Thus, we chose to address how older women describe the functional support they receive from one leisure-based social network, the Red Hat Society®. Data were gathered from more than 4,000 members. The findings indicated that functional support is multidimensional (e.g., spending time with friends, attention from others) and with few exceptions, positive. In addition, the functional support is primarily emotional and social in nature rather than informational and financial, as has previously been reported in social networks research.

The Social Connectedness of Older Adults: A National Profile

For decades, scholars have wrestled with the notion that old age is characterized by social isolation. However, there has been no systematic, nationally representative evaluation of this possibility in terms of social network connectedness. In this paper, the authors develop a profile of older adults' social integration with respect to nine dimensions of connectedness to interpersonal networks and voluntary associations. The authors use new data from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (NSHAP), a population-based study of non-institutionalized older Americans aged 57-85 conducted in 2005-2006. Findings suggest that among older adults, age is negatively related to network size, closeness to network members, and number of non-primary-group ties. On the other hand, age is positively related to frequency of socializing with neighbors, religious participation, and volunteering. In addition, it has a U-shaped relationship with volume of contact with network members. These findings are inconsistent with the notion that old age has a universal negative influence on social connectedness. Instead, life course factors have divergent consequences for different forms of social connectedness. Some later life transitions, like retirement and bereavement, may prompt greater connectedness. The authors close by urging increased dialogue between social gerontological and social network research.

“Kracking” the Missing Data Problem: Applying Krackhardt's Cognitive Social Structures to School-Based Social Networks

Social network analysis can enrich school-based research on children's peer relationships. Unfortunately, accurate network analysis requires near-complete data on all students and is underutilized in school-based research because of low rates of parental consent. This article advocates Krackhardt's cognitive social structures (CSS) as a solution to the problem of missing data in social network research. It compares CSS to other common strategies for dealing with missing data and shows how CSS can be used to yield more complete and precise network data. The article also uses an example of a sixth-grade classroom network to demonstrate the application of CSS and potential analyses.

Moving Beyond Firm Boundaries: A Social Network Perspective on Reputation Spillover

A change in an organization's reputation has consequences and implications that may go beyond that organization's boundaries. Drawing on social network and stakeholder research, we introduce the construct of reputation spillover to examine the process in which a reputational crisis occurred to one organization may spillover to other organizations that are either proximate or structurally equivalent to the focal organization. We argue that this process occurs mainly through the perceptions and reactions of stakeholders and is contingent upon the network centrality of the focal organization, the network structure of the industry and the past reputation of potential recipient organizations.

Social psychology and social networks: Individuals and social systems

Social psychology and social network research are both centrally concerned with human sociality. Despite some historically significant interactions between the two, these areas of investigation have not been usefully deployed together in recent research endeavours. The present paper attempts to bring out some points of both theoretical and methodological contentions, to characterize the gap between them, to traverse briefly the trajectories of their historical development, and to provide some concrete instances of these differences. Intellectual resources available to Asian social psychology are reviewed, which may help bridge the gap between the two areas of research. We conclude by calling for a greater integration of social psychology and social network perspectives in future research.

Social Networks as a Conceptual and Empirical Tool to Understand and “Do” HRD

The problem and the solution. This introductory article presents the concepts of social networks and social capital and illustrates how they are deeply connected to contemporary HRD. Despite widespread research utilizing a network or social capital perspective in disciplines such as management, sociology, and organization theory, there are few articles in the HRD literature that focus on the role of networks in HRD (Cross &amp; Parker, 2004; Gubbins &amp; Garavan, 2005; Lengnick-Hall &amp; Lengnick-Hall, 2003; Storberg, 2002). This first article, and the subsequent articles in the issue, contributes toward filling this gap. Specifically, in this first article we present an analysis and synthesis of a diverse array of conceptual and empirical social network and social capital research in order to answer two questions: (a) How can a network perspective explain or help us understand more about the process of achieving the outcomes of HRD? and (b) Given the network perspective, how should we practice HRD? The subsequent articles in this special issue engage with one or both of these research questions from a variety of perspectives relevant to contemporary HRD.

Early Adolescent Social Networks and Substance Use

This study examined the relationships between social network position and the use of tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, and inhalants in a sample of 1,119 sixth-grade youth. Social network analyses of peer nominations were used to categorize youth as members of social groups, liaisons between groups, or social isolates. The results revealed that liaisons were more likely to use tobacco than members or isolates and were more likely to use alcohol than isolates. Youth in the three social positions did not differ on their use of marijuana or inhalants. The findings are discussed with reference to previous social network research on adolescent relationships and substance use. The effects of gender, ethnicity, and residence location on substance use also are reported.