1. Networks and Organizations
Chapter 5
Networks and Organizations
Uma Pochampalli
Houston Community College System

2. What are Social Groups? What are Social groups?
the building blocks for society and for most social interaction.
Who said “The key element in determining the form of social relations in a group is the size of the group?”
Ans: Sociologist Georg Simmel
You May Ask Yourself
Copyright © 2008 W.W. Norton & Company, Inc.

3. Social Groups –George Simmel
a dyad (group of two) and a triad (group of three).
Dyad is the most intimate form of social life
the two members are mutually dependent on each other -- if one member leaves the group, the group ceases to exist.
You May Ask Yourself
Copyright © 2008 W.W. Norton & Company, Inc.

4. Social Groups
When a third person joins a dyad, that person can fill the role of:
Mediator, or tertius gaudens — “the third that rejoices”
Divide et impera — divide and conquer
As group size increases, the number of possible relationships increase — in a group of three, three possible relationships exist, but in a group of four, six possible relationships exist.
You May Ask Yourself
Copyright © 2008 W.W. Norton & Company, Inc.

5. Social Groups Georg Simmel C. H. Cooley Small Groups Primary Groups
Parties
Secondary Groups
Large Groups
Other Group Types — in-groups, out-groups, reference groups
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Copyright © 2008 W.W. Norton & Company, Inc.

6. From Groups to Networks
What is a social network?
It is a set of relations—a set of dyads—held together by ties between individuals.
What is a tie ?
It is a set of stories that explains relationship to the network,
What is a narrative?
It is the sum of the stories contained in a series of ties.
You May Ask Yourself
Copyright © 2008 W.W. Norton & Company, Inc.

7. Groups ? Networks? What do you mean?
What is Embeddedness?
It is the extent to which ties are strengthened through indirect paths within a social network.
Mark Granovetter’s concept: “strength of weak ties”:
Relatively weak ties can actually be quite valuable
They are more likely to provide new opportunities than a strongly embedded tie.
You May Ask Yourself
Copyright © 2008 W.W. Norton & Company, Inc.

8. From Groups to Networks
What is a structural hole?
It is a gap between network clusters,
or even between two people,
who would benefit from having that gap closed.
E.g. Inter relations between two nations, or two groups or two individuals when they overcome the differences
Photo Courtesy of AP Photo, Credit: Lauren Greenfield/VII
You May Ask Yourself
Copyright © 2008 W.W. Norton & Company, Inc.

9. From Groups to Networks
What is Social capital?
The information, knowledge/ ideas, connections
Helps individuals form networks with already established networks or gain power in them.
The high levels of social capital in a community means that the community is tightly knit
People come together to overcome challenges and make improvements.
e.g.: How people pull out of situation in crisis times*
*Chillean Earthquake and restoration of miners.
You May Ask Yourself
Copyright © 2008 W.W. Norton & Company, Inc.

10. From Groups to Networks
Many opinions exist about changes in social capital in the United States during the past fifty or so years.
Some perceive a decline in taking up social responsibilities.
Some argue that we have less time to devote to traditional community activities
Others say that the Internet has created new ways of bringing people together.
You May Ask Yourself
Copyright © 2008 W.W. Norton & Company, Inc.

11. Organizations? What are they?
What is an organization?
Any social network that is defined by a common purpose
Members of an organization are distinct from the rest of the social world.
What are Formal organizations?
They have governing bodies and rules for their internal set-up (structured)*
* informal organizations do not show rules/regulators
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Copyright © 2008 W.W. Norton & Company, Inc.

12. What is Organizational Culture?
It is the shared beliefs and behaviors within a social group.
Organizational structure
It is the ways in which power and authority are distributed within an organization.
Who is on the top? Who are in the bottom level of power structure?
You May Ask Yourself
Copyright © 2008 W.W. Norton & Company, Inc.

13.   The Wealth of Networks
The Internet has provided an open-source, or peer-based, production model
It promotes access to the source materials used in a work.
Wikipedia and Linux are two examples of open-source platforms.
You May Ask Yourself
Copyright © 2008 W.W. Norton & Company, Inc.

14. Concept Quiz
1. One of the unique characteristics of a dyad is that _______. a) each member exerts supra-individual control over the other b) there is an inherent asymmetry to the relationship c) if one member of the group leaves, the group ceases to exist d) All of the above e) None of the above
Answer: C
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Copyright © 2008 W.W. Norton & Company, Inc.

15. Concept Quiz
2. All of the following are basic forms of political relations that can evolve within a triad depending upon what role the entering third party assumes, EXCEPT:
a) mediator
b) the third party rejoices
c) divide and conquer
d) chaos reigns supreme
Answer: A

16. Concept Quiz
3. A married couple and their firstborn child are a type of group known as:
a) a dyad
b) a triad
c) a party
d) a small group
Answer: B

17. Concept Quiz
4. Which of the following type of groups are significant in that they distinguish between the relative power to define what is normal versus abnormal type of behaviors within the groups?
a) in- and out-groups
b) primary and secondary groups
c) small and large groups
d) parties and large groups
Answer: A

18. Concept Quiz
5. Organizational culture refers to _______. a) the embedded ties that connect members of a formal social network b) the shared beliefs and behaviors within a social group c) the ways in which power and authority are distributed within an organization d) whether an organization uses an autocratic or consultative decision-making process
Answer: B
You May Ask Yourself
Copyright © 2008 W.W. Norton & Company, Inc.

19. Figure 5.1 | Political Relations Within a Triad

20. Figure 5.2 | Relationship Between Group Size and Complexity

21. Figure 5.2 | Relationship Between Group Size and Complexity

22. Figure 5.2 | Relationship Between Group Size and Complexity

23. Figure 5.3 | The Asch Test

24. Table 5.1 | Software