- exploring social networks - the third entity in the dyad: the relationship diana jones presented...
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- Exploring social networks -
The Third Entity in the Dyad: The Relationship
Diana Jones
Presented at Sunbelt Conference, Vancouver April 2006
INSNA Sunbelt April 2006 [email protected] © Diana Jones
Historical Development of SNA –The Key Players
© Diana Jones
Anthropology + Mathematics
Mathematics
Sociology
Psychology
Harvard
SNA
Moreno
KEY
Working in Same field
Influence on
Anthropology
ARROW KEYInfluence of individual
Influence of entire field
ANZPA Conference, Brisbane. January, 2006
The Interdisciplinary Foundations of SNA
Homans-Sociology
(INSNA)
SNA
Psychology
Sociology
AnthropologyMathematics
Gluckman (Manchester)
Barnes
Bott
Mitchell
Köhler
Granovetter
Lee White (Harvard)
Harary (Michigan Uni)Lazarsfeld
Wellman
Nadel
Lewin
Warner
Mayo -Busines
s
Hawthorne Studies
Moreno
Social Psychology
Social Economics -Harvard
CrossBorgatti
BurtFreeman
INSNA Sunbelt April 2006 © Diana Jones
Assists us explore,integrate, and build a body of knowledge on working with
Isolates
Structural Holes
One way relationships
Negative relationships, the ‘choose not to…….’
Exploring the relationship between the dyad………
INSNA Sunbelt April 2006 © Diana Jones
- Tele - the flow of feeling between people
People are: • attracted to one another on specific criteria; like molecules of hydrogen and oxygen• repulsed; or move away from one another, similar to magnetic poles, or oil and water• neutral, i.e. don’t have a sense of the other. (Think of falling in love with someone who doesn’t know you exist - they might just prefer to have coffee with you.)
(Moreno 1953; Moreno 1987; Moreno 2000)
INSNA Sunbelt April 2006 © Diana Jones
B
INSNA Sunbelt April 2006 © Diana Jones
Symmetrical
Mutual, Reciprocal
The relationship is of mutual benefit to both actors
Mutual positive relationshipB chooses C on this criteria/question, and C chooses B
C
AB
Asymmetrical
Non-mutual, One way
This relationship is of benefit to B, A’s response to B is unclear. A may be unaware of B, be negative to B on the
criteria or question being explored. Expert networks are often characterised in this way
A
Third option: what is the relationship between this dyad?
A
B
C
INSNA Sunbelt April 2006 © Diana Jones
Is this relationship a structural hole?
Are the A and C aware of one another?
Do A and C not choose one another on the criteria being researched
What is the significance of this to the work of this group?
Collecting social network data
1. Questions typically asked in networks are:•Who do you go to for information…..•Who do you go to for decisions on …..•Who do you go to for expert advice on…..•Who do you rely on to assist you get your work done…..
2. Elicit a structural response related to job function, whereas….•Who do you go to for advice….•Who do you trust to……•Who do you discuss work concerns with………•Who do you discuss and explore innovations with………•Who do you go to to find out what’s happening in the organisation?
3. Go to the heart of the socio-emotional networks of the groups you are working with.
© Diana Jones
Case StudyCriterion for exploration in this group: “who in this group do I trust to solve a work problem
with me, so we enhance consistency and quality in our organisation?”
INSNA Sunbelt April 2006 © Diana Jones
General Manager
ManagerBusiness Support
Business Support
Business Support
Manager
TL
TL
TL
TL
TL
TL
TL
TL
TL
TL
TL
TL
4 Staff (3 Permanent, 1 Temp)
7 Staff (6 Permanent, 1 Temp)
6 Staff
7 Staff (6 Permanent, 1 Temp)
12 Staff (6 Permanent, 6 Temp)
6 Staff
7 Staff (6 Permanent, 1 Temp)
10 Staff (All Temps)
8 Staff (7 Permanent, 1 Temp)
8 Staff (7 Permanent, 1 Temp)
4 Staff
15 Staff (10 Permanent, 5 Temp)
Site 4
Sites 1, 2 and 3
Management Team, located
at Site 4
Site 4
KEY
Formal Organisation Chart
INSNA Sunbelt April 2006 © Diana Jones
Site 5
Density: Group Size: 17 Potential Ties: 272 Actual Ties: 143 Density: 53% Average number of positive choices made/received: 9 Range of positive choices received: 3-15 Range of positive choices made: 4-16
Average number of negative choices made/received: 2 Range of negative choices received: 0-7 Range of negative choices made: 0-8
Average number of mutual positive choices: 6 Range of mutual positive choices: 2-12
Group Statistics
INSNA Sunbelt April 2006 © Diana Jones
All Positive Choices
INSNA Sunbelt April 2006 © Diana Jones
Density of positive relationships is 53%
Sites 1, 2 and 3
Management Team, located
at Site 4
Site 4
KEY
Site 5
All Positive Mutual Choices
INSNA Sunbelt April 2006 © Diana Jones
There is a density of 46% of mutual relationships. This accounts for the strong work ethic
with the group.If we now look at one of these dyads, what do we discover?
Sites 1, 2 and 3
Management Team, located
at Site 4
Site 4
KEY
Site 5
A mutual negative Choice
INSNA Sunbelt April 2006 © Diana Jones
While positive mutual relationships are the glue in groups, negative choices are a natural aspect of group life. In looking at this group there appeared to be a high number of negative choices. The one relationship we are considering here shows a mutual negative relationship. This means both people did not choose the other with the criteria:who in this group do I trust to solve a work problem with me, so we enhance consistency and
quality in our organisation?”
This relationship of not choosing, is not displayed on the sociogram. However, a powerful force remains between these two people, affecting the group. Participants in this exploration received their individual choices, and many shared their reasons for choosing or not choosing one another.
As a result participants developed clearer perceptions of what constituted trust and collaboration in this group and in doing so a number of people developed positive relationships with more colleagues.
Summary
•Looking at only positive choices on criteria provides a small part of the relationship picture
Wise judgment and group facilitation skills are needed when gathering data, exploring and displaying negative choices
When SNAers researcher need to have clear agreements with participants on the purposes data is being collected for, how it will be used and who will see
what is generated.
© Diana Jones