Collective Action in Exchange Networks; Coalitions, Identity, and Interest

关于社会交换和集体行动的研究路线在很大程度上是孤立发展起来的。该项目通过允许结构上处于不利地位的行动者之间的集体行动，扩展了交换网络理论的范围。它还通过将社会困境嵌入交换关系和权力过程的网络来扩展集体行动研究。拟议中的实验旨在梳理被认为能激发集体行动的两个因素的相对重要性：共同的身份认同和共同的自身利益。具体来说，我们将研究低权力参与者使用集体行动来克服交换网络中的结构性劣势。我们的主要假设是：(1)尽管个体有搭便车的动机，但低权力行为者之间将形成联盟；(2)这些联盟将减少结构性劣势。实验设计保持自身利益不变，同时操纵个人和结构属性，以形成与相似他人的认同。我们使用在社会认同研究中广泛应用的“最小群体”范式的变体来操纵个人特征。然而，交换网络理论主要关注的是权力的结构决定因素，而不是个人决定因素。因此，我们也研究了占据结构等效位置的行为者（网络中与其他人相同连接的行为者）之间联盟的形成。研究结果将为一种新的联盟形成理论提供依据，该理论将共同利益和共同身份作为集体行动的催化剂。

Research lines on social exchange and collective action have developed largely in isolation. This project extends the scope of exchange network theory by allowing collective action among structurally disadvantaged actors. It also extends collective action research by embedding the social dilemma in a network of exchange relations and power processes. The proposed experiments are designed to tease apart the relative importance of two factors believed to motivate collective action: shared identity and mutual self-interest. Specifically, we will investigate the use of collective action by low-power actors to overcome structural disadvantages in exchange networks. Our main hypotheses are that (1) coalitions will form among low-power actors, despite individual incentives to free ride, and (2) these coalitions will reduce structural disadvantages. The experimental design holds self-interest constant while manipulating both personal and structural attributes expected to shape identification with similar others. We manipulate personal traits using a variant of the 'minimal group' paradigm, widely applied in social identity research. However, exchange network theory is principally concerned with structural, not personal, determinants of power. We therefore also investigate the formation of coalitions among actors occupying structurally equivalent positions (those identically connected to others in the network). The results will inform a new theory of coalition formation that incorporates both mutual self-interest and shared-identity as catalysts of collective action.