This explication is a guided compilation of key components and conceptual frameworks exploring the communication structure for Social Network Analysis (SNA). The theory of social networks is important to the interdisciplinary study of communication as it provides a roadmap from which to understand why and how creating and advancing organizational connectivity within business, medical, and social environments is beneficial. Within this explication is an overall depiction of various methods used for measuring and analyzing data beyond the metrics of numbers and graph theory.
Beginning with a briefing of Social Network Analysis, the concept of structure within a social network, maps and measures the connectivity with and between people or groups of people as a way to visualize simple and complex webs of how knowledge can be shared. A dimension of knowledge share, or flow of knowledge, explored within this text is the act of collaboration. A reoccurring element of a desire to take a collaborative approach to social involvement within relationships became evident from this sampling of research.
Research conducted for this explication came from a host of authors ranging from theory based works to recent studies. Authors discussed within this paper share many of the same conclusions that Social Network Analysis is being studied in a relatively new light (that what once looked at characteristics of individuals in interaction and strictly used methods for quantifying and mapping numbers of relations, to a newer way of mapping types and meanings of relations within the connectivity of individuals in relation) and there is room for much more research on this topic. Following the synthesis of expert research is a critique on the theory and...
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Social capital is about the worth of social networks, bonding similar people and bridging between diverse people, with norms of reciprocity. (Jenkins, 2002). The existence of a network or connections is necessary in order to maintain useful relationships that can provide material or symbolic profits.
Ogbevoen, Linda. “The Social Impact of Social Networks.” (2012): News at Northwestern. Web. 12 Feb. 2014.
However, it is an unwritten rule that in spite of all the knowledge that you may acquire, it is not always about “what” you, but “who” you know. This your professional growth also requires a great deal of social capital, which refers to “who” you know. Baker (2000) says that the “social” aspect sheds light on the size, quality and diversity of your personal and business networks (p. 2). Moreover, it also extends to the network of people who you don’t know and how that indirect relationship is created through social capital as well.
Social groups are the building blocks of any culture or society. A social group is a collection of two or more people who interact frequently with one another, share a sense of belonging, and have a feeling of interdependence (Kendall 14). Sociologist Georg Simmel focused his studies on the way social interactions change based on group size, especially the uniquely “more personal and intense” (Kendall 114) interactions between members of smaller social groups. He also “suggested that small groups have distinctive interaction patterns that do not exist in larger groups (Kendall 144). By examining each social group, specifically the two and three-member dyad and triad, one can understand how the size of a particular group can shape the individual
Before discussing the different kinds of support that can be given by a person’s social network, an understanding of what a social network is and the people it can include is necessary. This essay will begin with a brief definition and then go on to list and review the different kinds of support that can be provided.
Introduction: For the past 30 years Social Networking has and will continue to be one of the most impactful aspects of technology. Technology has been around for quite some time and continues to improve with time. According to dictionary.com, social network is “an online community of people with a common interest who use a website or other technologies to communicate with each other and share information.” With all of this information being shared their can be quite a few of pros and cons that come along with social networking. Also, the history shouldn 't be ignored and how it has really came along way in such a short amount of time.
The value that comes from social networks allows individuals to achieve things they could not do on their own. SC is not only acquired within one’s personal network, but also the professional communication network (Doerfel, Lai & Chewning, 2010). In essence, social capital can be extremely beneficial to an organization. With a high degree of SC, it enables an organization to guard against threats to survival. Moreover, there are three dimensions of social capital: structural, relational and cognitive (Doerfel, Lai & Chewning, 2010). Structural SC is the presence of the connection between employee and organizations, such as network ties. Relational SC is the nature and the degree of the connection between employees and organizations, such as mutual ties. Lastly cognitive SC, while not as explicit, concentrates on the level of understanding between partners about their abilities, such as common language and shared goals (Doerfel, Lai & Chewning,
The internet empowers people to seek health information and play a larger role in their diagnosis and treatment. A survey done by harrisinteractive.com found that eighty six percent of internet users said they were scanning the web for healthcare and disease-specific information. This is greatly higher than in 1999, which was seventy one percent (Binshan Lin 28). The results show that patients are becoming more knowledgeable about their health and seek to become partners in their care.
"Nicholas Christakis: The Sociological Science Behind Social Networks and Social Influence." YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. 28 May 2014.
Social networks have been linked to health research and health outcomes as a measure of social support; the greater the number of relationships present, the better the health outcomes (for a recent example of this type of work, see Magliano et al, 2006). Another common use of SNA is to identify patterns of disease transmission. However, there are many other uses of SNA in health research, such as investigating information transmission networks, examining the influence of social position on health behaviour, creating better partnerships through health organizational networks, and identifying individuals and relationships that will help maximally diffuse a health program message (Luke & Harris, 2007; Valente & Fosados, 2006).
Social media is used by many people, young and old around the world as a way to communicate. Our lives have become so busy that it is difficult to maintain family and social relationships. “They use social networking sites including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc. On these sites users create profiles, communicate with friends and strangers, do research and share thoughts, photos, music, links and more” (Social Networking). With the use of social media you can be friends with all sorts of people without actually seeing or knowing them. “In many ways, social communities are the virtual equivalent of meeting at the general store or at church socials to exchange news and get updated on friends and families” (Cosmato).
Social networks have become this substantial part of our modern civilization. It is a defining trait of how integrated our social interactions have become. Social networks have become an important source of news. Their availability on social networks makes news more accessible. From a motivational perspective, people use social networks to fulfill a variety of social needs, including association, self-expression, and self-presentation. Consequently, using a social network can enhance s...
One of the ways Social Network Theory has been used is to examine how companies interact with each other. By understanding what links members of the companies together, Social Network theory has served as a way to gather information about the relationships within their company to help answer questions through the roles of the relationships within the company. For my question of study I looked at the question of: Are actors and their actions viewed as independent of interdependent within an organization?
The components of the relational strain is the extent in which two people in a relationship do not relate smoothly, there is disagreement or hostility. Interpersonal boundaries is the separation between oneself and another person, formality, and boundaries are defined by positions in social networks. Interactive involvement refers to what individuals do with and for each other, involving face to face contact and exchange in aid. The results were connected to these three components.
“The Power of Social Media to Support Knowledge Sharing.” ISKO UK. 19 March. 2013. Internatinoal Society for Knowledge Organization. 3 April 2014.