Networks and Organizations: Structure, Form, and Action.

Abstract

Part 1 Linking structure and action: problems of explanation in economic sociology the social structure of competition agency as control in formal networks Nadel's paradox revisited - relational and cultural aspects of organizational structure doing your job and helping your friends - universalistic norms about obligations to particular others in networks structural alignments, individual strategies and managerial action - elements towards a network theory of getting things done. Part 2 Different network ties and their implications: centrality and power in organizations the strength of strong ties - the importance of philos in organizations information and search in the creation of new business ventures - the case of the 128 Venture Group complementary communication media - a comparison of electronic mail and face-to-face communication in a programming team face-to-face - making network organizations work. Part 3 Organizational environmental relations as inter-organizational networks: strategic alliances in commercial biotechnology the make-or-cooperate decision in the context of an industry network competitive co-operation in biotechnology - learning through networks? Part 4 Network forms of organizations: the network organization in theory and practice fragments of a cognitive theory of technological change and organizational structure small-firm networks on the limits of a firm-based theory to explain business networks - the Western bias of neoclassical economics the organization of business networks in the United States and Japan. Conclusion: making network research relevant to practice.