What is Social Network Analysis

Networks are everywhere. Even considering just networks within organizations, there are technological networks (composed by computers such a Local Area Networks), task networks (composed by tasks that influence each others' results) or social networks (composed by humans, who influence each others' behavior). Organizations have also formal networks, where the nodes are roles and the relations are authoritative.
Organizations themselves can be viewed as a complex stratification of networks of all kinds, each one intertwined to the other: in other words organizations are networks of networks (hyper-networks). Fordist organizations tend to be shaped as simple hierarchical networks, much like the formal pyramid of authority and responsibility. Post-fordist organizations, on the other hand, seek more integration and more density of communication among their nodes. Therefore, from a network perspective, modern organizations tend to be more complex and integrated by adding horizontal relations to their formal hierarchical structures.
Social Network Analysis is a formal methodology and approach based upon the assumption that a node's (organizational or individual) behavior depends on the position of that node in the network of relations in which it is embedded. The network approach assumes that the efficiency and effectiveness of one node is a function of its ability to build, maintain and activate a network of other nodes through which acquire information, knowledge and power.
Social Network Analysis provides tools and techniques for the collection, analysis and representation of relational data.


Knownetlab and social network analysis

Knownetlab applies Social Network Analysis to the study of organizational processes and behavior. Through SNA we are able to study the communication problems of teams and individuals, the consequences of ICT introduction and use, the power relations among firms of a district, to name a few issues.
We use state-of-the-art technology to apply Social Network Analysis, such as UCINET, Pajek, and Netminer.

For a basic list of references, see:

- L. Biggiero, 2009. A short presentation of three (relatively new) methodologies: multicriteria decision making; social network analysis, and agent-based simulation modelling. New methods MCDM SNA ABSM [slides]
- Biggiero, L. 2009. Basic issues and measures of social network analysis [slides]
- Biggiero, L. The most important measures of social network analysis are applied to international trade, focusing on: the whole world level, the continent level, a specific commodity, and single countries. [slides]
- Carrington, P.J., Scott, J. and Wasserman S. (Eds.) 2005. Models and Methods in Social Network Analysis (Structural Analysis in the Social Sciences). Cambridge: Cambridge UP.
- Scott, J. 1991. Social network analysis: a handbook. London: Sage.
- Wasserman, S. and Faust, K. 1994. Social network analysis: methods and applications. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
- Wasserman, S. and Galaskiewicz, J. (eds.) 1994. Advances in Social Network Analysis: Research in the Social and Behavioral Sciences. Thousand Oaks (CA): Sage.
- Wellman, B. and Berkowitz S.D. (Eds.) 1988. Social structure: a network approach. Greenwich (CT): JAI Press.