Modeling social network processes using constrained flow representations

Network flow models are explained, using the example of a social process called "group fission," via proved theorems in mathematical notation. The basic terminology, processes, constraints, & information flows of social networks are discussed. Bottlenecks & cuts in this flow must b...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Social networks 1984-09, Vol.6 (3), p.259-292
Main Author: Zachary, Wayne W.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Information/Informational
Social network/Social networks/Social networking
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Network flow models are explained, using the example of a social process called "group fission," via proved theorems in mathematical notation. The basic terminology, processes, constraints, & information flows of social networks are discussed. Bottlenecks & cuts in this flow must be located & corrected. The flow model was applied to a karate club (28-56 members) observed over a 2-year period. A crisis arose among the members concerning the structure of the organization. The fission in this social network is mapped, describing face-to-face relationships among members, the potential for information flow, & the f & content of communication. The sources of information flow were the karate teacher & the club president. The fission was produced by a bottleneck to information flow among members caused by the two leaders (information sources) being on opposite sides of the dispute. The bottleneck separated the two ideological factions & predicted the location of the fission. 1 Table, 5 Figures, 33 References. D. Graves.
ISSN:0378-8733
1879-2111
DOI:10.1016/0378-8733(84)90013-3