Much of our reading this week talked a lot about network analysis within companies. I found and interesting article that demonstrates how the information obtained from network analysis
could be used by communities and their leaders to build community capacity
through the development of a stronger network of collaborating organizations,
public and nonprofit thereby building the community’s capacity to address
critical needs in areas such as health, human services, social problems, and
economic development (Provan, Veazie & Staten, 2005). The focus is on
networks of organizations but recognizing that it is the individuals who
interact on behalf of the organizations therefore the unit of analysis is the
relationship, not the organization itself (Provan, Veazie & Staten,
2005).
In collecting data, a questionnaire consisting of eight very in-depth questions was used by community leaders and coalition participants. Many of the steps used in this network
analysis are very similar to the steps identified in the Informal Networks
article by Krackhardt & Hanson. Similar questions were asked about trust,
core network members and relationship links. Mapping out a sample network with
key components helps to evoke discussion. This will also show current network
holes, problems and imploded relationships.
Lastly, the article further addressed how documenting and tracking relationships among organizations that make-up a network, communities can enhance their capacity to address current
and future needs in diverse areas as described above. This is very much aligned
with how companies react once helpful information is revealed. Additionally,
with the understanding that the leaders of many of these public and nonprofit
agencies want to improve the well-being of their citizens, most are cooperative
with one another to achieve this goal.
REFERENCES
Krackhardt, D., & Hanson, J. R. (1993) Informal networks: The company behind the
chart. Harvard Business Review, pp.104-111.
Provan, K., Veazie, M. & Staten, L. (2005) The use of network analysis to strengthen
community partnerships. Public Administration Review, Vol. 65, No. 5
Link:
I loved that your selected article applies social network theory much more broadly than any of our weekly readings. Hanneman and Riddle (2005) indicate that the nodes studied in a network analysis could be as small as the words or symbols in a text or as large as nations, but I admit that I was thinking very much in an organizational mode as completed the rest of the readings and I did my application assignment.
ReplyDeleteIn the case of this study, organizations are the nodes, the community is the network boundary, and community service-oriented partnerships seem to be the ties that bind them (Hanneman & Riddle, 2005).
Do you think the findings of Provan, Veazie, Staten and Teufel-Shone can be scaled for use by those seeking to forge multi-organizational alliances outside the bounds of community or context of social service?
I do believe it can be scaled for use in other alliances because the process is the same but the actors are different. And, just like the community groups, it depends on what you do with your findings that will make the difference.
DeleteWhoops. Almost forgot:
ReplyDeleteReferences
Hanneman, R. A., & Riddle, M. (2005). Introduction to social network methods. Riverside, CA: University of California, Riverside.
Provan, K., Veazie, M. & Staten, L. & Teufel-Shone, N. (2005). The use of network analysis to strengthen community partnerships. Public Administration Review, 65(5), 603-613.
Audrey, there is a very close relationship between this week on networks and our previous week on alliances. Many network researchers (including Annenberg's networks group, ANN) often focus on organizations as nodes and partnerships as ties. You mention the methodology of this study, but I am a bit unclear on the findings. Could you explain those further?
ReplyDeletehttp://ascnetworksnetwork.org/research
Dr Pade, this article ultimately showed how network analysis can be a valuable tool for helping community leaders and coalition members to understand network structure and processes.They presented questions that offer ways this analysis technique might be used to generate discussion about the nature and function of community partnerships and networks.They did not conduct the study but merely suggested the process.
DeleteI like your comment about how simply documenting the network and tracking relationships can lead to enhanced capacity to perform. I feel that this concept is easy to overlook, especially when we are dealing with relationships among groups of people. It also has application in life in general though-keeping track of things really helps us grasp the reality of something. Much like David Leers from the Krackhardt & Hanson article I think we often over estimate are familiarity/understanding of a system and it isn't until we see it inked out that it can really be understood.
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