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Roles and Influence of Social Networks

Roles and Influence of Social Networks. Elizabeth West September 2003. Funded by the NHS Executive Research & Development Programme. Outline. Social network analysis could provide a theoretical framework and methodological tools for the study of knowledge utilisation

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Roles and Influence of Social Networks

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  1. Roles and Influence of Social Networks Elizabeth West September 2003 Funded by the NHS Executive Research & Development Programme KU-03 Colloqium

  2. Outline • Social network analysis could provide a theoretical framework and methodological tools for the study of knowledge utilisation • Previous work has used social network analysis to begin to understand the social structure of professional communities • Small World Phenomenon • Future developments KU-03 Colloqium

  3. Network Analysis in H S Research • Epidemiology, particularly in sexually transmitted diseases, such as HIV/AIDS • Social contagion--understanding smoking, suicide • Social support, social capital, stress and the production of inequality in health and illness • Access to services--the search for an abortionist • Diffusion of innovation--the adoption of tetracycline • Social structure of professional groups KU-03 Colloqium

  4. Central premise KU-03 Colloqium

  5. The social network perspective • Focuses on relationships (ties) between people or organisations and the implications of the patterns they form • Relationships are seen as channels for the transfer of resources: • social support • information • influence • Networks provide opportunities and constraints on the behaviour of individuals KU-03 Colloqium

  6. Theories of social influence • Proximity and social influence • Imitation, contagion, social comparison • Opportunity to persuade, cajole and monitor the performance of others • Identity and sense of belonging • power--control over information, resources, rewards, expertise, charisma, occupation of a position of legitimate authority KU-03 Colloqium

  7. Hierarchies and Cliques • Nurses networks are less dense and more centralised than are doctors • they are the go-between for people who might otherwise not be connected • they may get a wider spectrum of opinion on their problems • Doctors networks are dense and decentralised • may be difficult to acquire a spectrum of opinion • networks could be more influential than nurses KU-03 Colloqium

  8. The Salience of Social Boundaries • Most discussion partners are drawn from the same organisation • All groups show professional homophily • Both nurses and doctors talk to managers more often than they do to each other • Female nurses discussion partners are mainly female--all other groups are mainly male • Doctors are more likely to describe their discussion partners as “equals” KU-03 Colloqium

  9. The Small World Phenomenon KU-03 Colloqium

  10. Assets of small world networks KU-03 Colloqium

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