(MOD) Examining the Link between Informal Social Networks and Innovation: Using Netometrics to Quantify the Value of a Distributed Hetarchical Network

本研究使用自填式问卷、最新的社会网络分析方法和定制的网络监控工具，分析了非正式虚拟八层社会网络(VHSN)中科学家和创新者之间的互动。这些分析可以确定非正式社会网络使用中的社会心理特征和其他变量。如果VHSN促进创新，那么它们构成了一种极低成本的投资，可以加速效率和经济增长。更重要的是，这项研究测试了VHSN在多大程度上充当了分享创意的孵化器，这些创意是创新的先驱。现有研究表明，创新和相关的溢出效应是经济增长的主要来源。这项研究运用跨学科的方法，试图将一个不断演变的概念--虚拟的杂乱无序的社会网络--与一个经过验证的促进创新的概念--正式的社会网络--结合在一起，为特殊的创新过程确定一个新的模式。市场包括交换，在充分挖掘低含量信息和形成足够的信任形式之后，市场交易预计将反映高价值信息的交换。节点可能会参与战略游戏--基于他们所拥有的感知的信任和声誉资产，寻求从其他节点收集尽可能多的和尽可能新的信息，同时限制他们自己的知识流动。这项研究的结果作为开发可输出模型的基础知识，该模型可以为未来孵化、丰富和加速创新的非正式社会网络的形成提供信息。

This study analyzes the interactions between scientists and innovators in an informal virtual hetarchical social network (VHSN) using self-report questionnaires, state-of-the-art social network analysis methods, and customized network monitoring tools. These analyses permit identification of social-psychological characteristics and other variables in the use of informal social networks. If VHSNs facilitate innovation, then they constitute a very low-cost investment that accelerates efficiency and economic growth. More importantly, the study tests the extent to which VHSNs serve as incubators for sharing ideas that are precursors to innovation. Existing research shows that innovations and related spillovers serve as major sources of economic growth. This study applies an interdisciplinary approach to identifying a new model for an idiosyncratic innovation process by attempting to marry an evolving concept--virtual hetarchical social networks--to a proven concept for facilitating innovation--formal social networks. Markets involve exchange and, after sufficient forays of low-content information and after sufficient trust forms, market transactions are expected to reflect exchanges of highly-valued information. Nodes are likely to engage in strategic play--seeking to gather as much and as novel information as possible from other nodes based on the perceived trust and reputation assets that they possess, while restricting the flow of their own knowledge. The results of this research serves as foundational knowledge for developing exportable models that can inform the formation of future informal social networks that incubate, enrich and accelerate innovation.