Lecture 5

Question 1

Three types of embeddedness

Answer 1

1. Relational embeddedness;
2. Structural embeddedness;
3. Positional embeddedness

Question 2

Three types of proximity

Answer 2

1. Technological proximity;
2. Geographical proximity;
3. Cultural proximity

Question 3

Relational embeddedness

Answer 3

The extent to which two actors have had ties in the past

Question 4

Structural embeddedness

Answer 4

Indirect ties via common partners. More likely to form new ties than with strange organizations

Question 5

Positional embeddedness

Answer 5

Central organizations in a network are more inclined to form relations with each other

Question 6

Strategic interdependence

Answer 6

An organization forms a relation with another organization in order to gain access to their essential resources and capabilities

Question 7

Four micro-foundations

Answer 7

1. Agency: the motivation of a focal actor to create or dissolve links, shape advantageous structures
2. Opportunity: structural context of action. Actors tend to prefer linking within groups rather than across
3. Inertia: durability of social structures, social processes by which the actor is influenced
4. Exogenous factors

Question 8

Four endogenous factors and one exogenous factor for good network formation

Answer 8

1. Relational embeddedness
2. Structural embeddedness
3. Positional embeddedness
4. Structural differentiation
5. Strategic interdependence

Question 9

Five dimensions of change in network architecture

Answer 9

1. Degree distribution of nodes: the relative frequency of the occurrence of ties across nodes, variance of distribution of ties in network
2. Connectivity of the network: diameter of the network, i.e. largest geodesic of network
3. Pattern of clustering: degree to which network is formed of tightly interconnected cliques, degree of clustering
4. Network density
5. Degree assortativity: degree to which nodes with similar degree connect with each other. High- and low-degree nodes don’t connect with each other quickly