Social Networks and Organizations

by Martin Kilduff

• ISBN13: 9780761969570
• ISBN10: 0761969578
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-09-08
• Publisher: SAGE Publications Ltd

Summary

'The authors should be congratulated for not only offering an excellent tour de force of cutting-edge work in social network analysis, but also charting some new possible territories for future organizational research' -Environment and Planning Social Networks and Organizations provides a compact introduction to major concepts in the area of organizational social networks. The book covers the rudiments of methods, explores major debates, and directs attention to theoretical directions, including a vigorous critique of some taken-for-granted assumptions. The book is aimed at all of those who seek a lucid and lively treatment of social network approaches to organizational research, with a particular emphasis on the neglected area of interpersonal networks in organizations. In this book, Martin Kilduff and Wenpin Tsai offer new insights to those already familiar with network analysis, and motivate those interested in pursuing network research to embark on journeys of discovery. 'This book is extremely timely. It provides a wonderful synthesis of the recently burgeoning literature in the area of organizations and social networks. It should be relevant at once for both the experienced network scholar as well as those entering this growing area' - Ranjay Gulati, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University 'Martin Kilduff and Wenpin Tsai have done a marvellous job of not only reviewing and integrating the diverse streams of literatures on social networks, but also of showing the enormous potential of this research approach that still lies untapped. Overall, this book will prove to be an invaluable resource for interested graduate students as well as for established scholars in the field' - Sumantra Ghoshal, Professor of Strategic and International Management, London Business School 'Research on social networks is already one of the most vibrant areas of organizational inquiry. How can it possibly become any more so? This book by Kilduff and Tsai opens up many new avenues for network research and theory-building. Whether you're newly-interested in social networks or a veteran of the topic, you will benefit from Kilduff and Tsai's marvellous contribution' - Donald C Hambrick, Smeal College of Business Administration, The Pennsylvania State University

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements	iv
1 Introduction	1	(12)
2 Understanding Social Network Research	13	(22)
3 Is There Social Network Theory? A Critical Examination of Theoretical Foundations	35	(31)
4 In Pursuit of Lost Questions: Bridging the Gap between Structuralist and Individualist Approaches to Social Networks	66	(21)
5 Network Trajectories: Goal-directed and Serendipitous Processes	87	(24)
6 Towards a Poststructuralist Network Approach to Organizations	111	(16)
7 Conclusion	127	(5)
Glossary of Technical Terms	132	(5)
Appendix 1 Getting Started on Data Analysis and Interpretation	137	(12)
Appendix 2 Analysing Cognitive Network Data Using MRQAP-A Methodological Note	149	(2)
References	151	(16)
Index	167