Social Networks and Organizations [Paperback]

Martin Kilduff (Author), Wenpin Tsai (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0761969578 | ISBN-13: 978-0761969570 | Publication Date: September 8, 2003

`The authors should be congratulated for not only offering an excellent tour de force of cutting-edge work in social network analysis, but also charting some new possible territories for future organizational research' -

Environment and Planning

Social Networks and Organizations provides a compact introduction to major concepts in the area of organizational social networks.

The book covers the rudiments of methods, explores major debates, and directs attention to theoretical directions, including a vigorous critique of some taken-for-granted assumptions. The book is aimed at all of those who seek a lucid and lively treatment of social network approaches to organizational research, with a particular emphasis on the neglected area of interpersonal networks in organizations.

In this book, Martin Kilduff and Wenpin Tsai offer new insights to those already familiar with network analysis, and motivate those interested in pursuing network research to embark on journeys of discovery.

`This book is extremely timely. It provides a wonderful synthesis of the recently burgeoning literature in the area of organizations and social networks. It should be relevant at once for both the experienced network scholar as well as those entering this growing area' - Ranjay Gulati, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University

`Martin Kilduff and Wenpin Tsai have done a marvellous job of not only reviewing and integrating the diverse streams of literatures on social networks, but also of showing the enormous potential of this research approach that still lies untapped. Overall, this book will prove to be an invaluable resource for interested graduate students as well as for established scholars in the field' - Sumantra Ghoshal, Professor of Strategic and International Management, London Business School

`Research on social networks is already one of the most vibrant areas of organizational inquiry. How can it possibly become any more so? This book by Kilduff and Tsai opens up many new avenues for network research and theory-building. Whether you're newly-interested in social networks or a veteran of the topic, you will benefit from Kilduff and Tsai's marvellous contribution' - Donald C Hambrick, Smeal College of Business Administration, The Pennsylvania State University

Product Details

• Paperback: 172 pages
• Publisher: Sage Publications Ltd (September 8, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0761969578
• ISBN-13: 978-0761969570
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 6.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #487,182 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book for all organizational researchers, May 15, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Social Networks and Organizations (Paperback)

Many books have been written about social networks. But few review the research on social networks in organizations.This book by Kilduff and Tsai is one that reviews a vasy body of literature about social networks in organization. Further, readers are gently exposed to key network concepts. Students who would like to learn the mechanics of network analysis and its usage in theory testing can refer to the appendices. For established researchers seeking potential new research questions, this book provides a wealth of interesting research questions. Most books on social networks are techical, hard to grasp and do not establish the relevance of social networks to organizational research. This book is an exception.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Social Networks and Organizations, January 19, 2008

By 

G. A. Durant-law "Graham Durant-Law" (Canberra, Australia) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Social Networks and Organizations (Paperback)

I've just re-read "Social Networks and Organizations" by Professors Martin Kilduff and Wenpin Tsai. I like this book because it is an easy read, with enough detail to whet the appetite but not so much detail as to become a laborious slog. With 150 pages of succinct text it is possible to read and digest in a couple of sittings. The authors provide many examples throughout the book and point the reader to more advanced reading, but for the beginner Appendix 1 on "Getting Started on Data Analysis and Interpretation" is a must read.

As a doctoral candidate I appreciated the opening chapters which position network analysis in the research traditions, and provide some discussion on the underlying theories. Some readers might find these chapters boring, but I think there is something there for everyone. Take for example the discussion on theoretical foundations. The authors discuss graph theory without blinding the lay-person with incomprehensible mathematical formulas. They also talk about balance theory and other borrowings from psychology in simple terms. This is a constant throughout the book - the reader is gently exposed to key network concepts, debates in the literature, and possible new research directions.

The authors guide the reader through various units of analysis, ranging from the individual, to the team, and finally the organisation. Their interest in interpersonal networks within organisations is obvious. There is ample discussion on cognitive networks, knowledge transfer, and business unit networks. In each of these discussions key concepts such as dyads, triads and cliques are presented in layman's terms. All this serves to highlight the importance and centrality of networks in our daily life.

So all in all I think this book deserves a five-star rating, and should be on the shelf of any serious network analysis practitioner.

Regards, Graham