Sunbelt XXXI International Network for Social Network ... - INSNA

The Configuration Of Signed Relations In An Online Social Environment: A Balancing ActActon, Ryan M.Network TheoryOnline Networks, Balance Theory, Discrete Choice AnalysisFRI.AM2The concept of balance, which traces back to psychologist Fritz Heider (1946), was developed in order to explain a cognitive process within individuals thataffects the way they feel about others to whom they are tied. When the relations one has with others "agree" with each other, that person feels a sense ofsatisfaction. If, however, those relations are discordant, the individual is motivated to act in ways that reconfigure the situation, either cognitively orstructurally, in order to achieve a sense of satisfaction, or balance. Since Heider, numerous scholars have attempted to empirically test, refine, and generalizeideas of balance. This paper investigates the possible choices with which actors are faced and the extent to which actors make those choices in balancetheoretic ways. By utilizing signed, relational data from the online community Epinions.com, I study the formation process of several kinds of dyadic andtriadic configurations. Mixed support is found with regard to the extent to which actors behave in balance theoretic ways. Results and implications arediscussed.The Contextual Dependence Of Social Network ActivationSamila, Sampsa; Erikson, EmilySocial CapitalSocial Capital, Communication Networks, Large‐scale Networks, InformationSAT.PM2Social networks are ubiquitous in social and economic life. Networks act as conduits of resources such as status and information. While our knowledge aboutthe kinds of network ties used for carrying different types of resources, especially information, has grown considerably, we know very little about when actorschoose to rely on the information carried by network ties. Here we outline a theory and empirically study how context affects the choice of actors to rely onthe information from their social networks. Using data from the English East India Company’s shipping network, we find that the captains were more likely torely on information carried by social network ties early in their careers but less so later as their own experience grew. Likewise, the level of autonomy enjoyedby the actors has a positive effect on their reliance on network information. Environmental uncertainty also increases the importance of the timely informationcarried by networks. When the diversity of information carried by networks increases, we find that personal experience becomes increasingly important indeciding what course to take. Our theory and results contribute to our understanding of the role of networks economic and social life.