New Book From Smeal College Professors Explores Social Networks

New Book From Smeal College Professors Explores Social Networks

UNIVERSITY PARK, PA -- Although the topic of social networks has steadily gained prominence—especially in areas such as job searches of individuals, knowledge transfer among companies, and even the ability of terrorists to coordinate activities—a systematic and accessible approach to the latest thinking in the field has been lacking. Enter "Social Networks and Organizations," a new book by Martin Kilduff and Wenpin Tsai of Penn State University's Smeal College of Business.

Intended for an audience with a strong interest in—although not necessarily a familiarity with—network concepts, "Social Networks and Organizations" provides an engaging, in-depth investigation of social network approaches to organizational research, with particular emphasis on interpersonal networks in organizations. The book flows from the varying levels of observation present in social network research: the individual, the team, and the organization. Concepts in these areas include cognition of one's place in a network; dyads, triads, and cliques; interaction between business units; and ties between entire organizations, among others.

"The potential application of the social network approach to organizations is, in our view, enormous," Kilduff and Tsai write. "The full spectrum of organization phenomena that network thinking can illuminate extends across levels from micro to macro."

Adds Ranjay Gulati of Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management: "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."

"Social Networks and Organizations" begins with the introductory story of Paul Revere and William Dawes, two men who set out on the night of April 17, 1775 to warn of the imminent British threat from the British army. Like wildfire, Revere's message spread rapidly through the communities on his route, while Dawe's visits did little to stir interest. Evidence suggests that Revere was connected to an extensive network of strategic relationships, and the authors use the historical tale as a way to highlight the significance of the network of relationships within which we are embedded and their importance for the success or failure of projects.

Subsequent chapters of "Social Networks and Organizations" provide an overview of social network research; inquiry into whether the network approach is more than a mere collection of methods; a bridge between structuralist and individualist approaches to social networks; introduction of the twin processes of serendipity and goal-directedness in organizational trajectories; examination of possible elaborations of network research in such directions as pluralism, fluidity, subjectivity, and society as text; and a conclusion that predicts several major trends of the future in network research. Each chapter also includes a recommended reading list and the appendix incorporates exercises to promote greater understanding. The book is scheduled for release in August 2003.

"Instead of providing just a review of existing research, we open up dialog on a range of new approaches," the authors write. "Social network research has the potential to contribute far beyond the range of issues that currently preoccupies the field. Our book aims to capture the allure of network thinking and marry it to the promise of new theoretical ideas to provide a platform from which innovative research can proceed."

About the Authors
Martin Kilduff is Professor of Organizational Behavior. His areas of expertise include social networks in organizations, self-monitoring personality variables, cognitive diversity in teams, deconstruction, and routines in multinational corporations. The Associate Editor of Administrative Science Quarterly and the Academy of Management Review, Kilduff received his Ph.D. from Cornell University and spent two years at INSEAD in France before joining Penn State's Smeal College of Business in 1990.

Wenpin Tsai is Assistant Professor of Management and Organization. His areas of expertise include social capital, organizational knowledge, evolution of strategic networks, strategic and international management, and social networks analysis. A member of the editorial board of the Academy of Management Journal, Tsai received his Ph.D. from the London Business School in 1998.

Back to Latest News