Collaborative research: Network Dynamics and Corporate Strategies

协作研究：网络动力学和组织结构摘要我们知道，一般来说，人们倾向于与周围的其他人分享相似的世界观--这是一个被称为同质性的经典原则。然而，令人惊讶的是，我们对网络动态的影响知之甚少，而不仅仅是在特定的组织环境中的个人。 举个例子，该研究项目使用先进的统计和计算方法来分析有关个人之间关系的网络数据。 当然，人们可能会独立于他们与同一团体或组织中其他成员的联系而持有观点或做出选择。 或者，个人可以与同龄人分享观点。 在后一种情况下，共享的观点可能只是反映了经典的同质性（又名选择偏见），或者是通过与同伴建立的新网络关系而产生的真正的同伴影响力。 研究的重点是（a）组织或规范性实体招募和/或影响人们选择的程度，以及（B）这在组织边界之外产生更广泛影响的方式。更广泛的影响直到最近，所需的细粒度数据和分析技术还无法从经验上回答这些问题。 这项研究的结果有可能促进我们对群体过程的普遍理解。 调查结果可能会引起各种利益攸关方的兴趣，包括政府官员、媒体、商界和公众。 此外，这项研究的结果有可能推进社会科学方法，并为学生提供宝贵的定量方法培训机会。

COLLABORATIVE RESEARCHSES - 1226489Bruce KogutColumbia UniversitySES - 1226834David LazerNortheastern UniversityCollaborative Research: Network Dynamics and Organizational StrategiesAbstractWe know that, in general, people tend to share similar world views of other individuals around them -- a classic principle known as homophily. Yet, we know surprisingly little about the effects of network dynamics beyond individuals within a specific organizational context. As a case in point, this research project uses advanced statistical and computational methods to analyze network data regarding ties among and between individuals. Of course, people might hold views or make choices independent of their ties to other members in the same group or organization. Alternatively, individuals might share views with their peers. In this latter case, shared perspectives may simply reflect classic homophily (aka selection bias), or true peer influence channeled by the new network ties developed with peers. The research focuses (a) on the degree to which organizations or normative entities recruit and/or influence people's choices and (b) on ways in which this creates broader effects beyond organizational boundaries.Broader ImpactsUntil recently, the needed fine-grained data and analytical techniques were not available to answer these questions empirically. Findings from this research have the potential to advance our understanding of group processes generally. Findings may be of interest to a variety of stakeholders, including public officials, the media, the business community, and the general public. In addition, findings from this study have the potential to advance social science methodologically and provide valuable quantitative methodological training opportunities for students.