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

A Network Approach To Pattern Discovery In Spell DataFitzhugh, Sean M.; Butts, Carter T.; Pixley, Joy E.Qualitative and Mixed Method Network studiesMethods, Life Course, Data Exploration, Pattern Detection, Activity Patterns, Interval GraphsSUN.AM1Applying Butts and Pixley’s (2004) structural representation of life history data, we illustrate an approach to identifying population‐level patterns using anetwork framework for representing actors’ participation in multiple, simultaneous spells, or activities with specified start and end points. We apply thisapproach to traditional life history data using the Vietnamese Life History Survey (Hirschman et al.: 1991) and a novel case using organizational spell data. Thesimple life history graphs we utilize are based on coterminousness of spells—periods during which an actor engages in multiple spells at once. Spell overlapsaffect each spell in a meaningful way—an effect not present if each spell occurs separately. As such, treating spells as a vertex set and coterminousness as anedge set yields meaningful insight into an entity’s activity patterns. A graph comparison of each entity’s spell intersection network with others in thepopulation yields discovery of noteworthy differences in actors’ life activity patterns. We illustrate this method of pattern discovery in spell data with multipletypes of actors—individual and organizational—to demonstrate the distinctions which emerge when utilizing such comparison. We then perform subsequentanalyses to examine clustering and path dependence uncovered by this method.A Network Perspective Of Organizational Culture: Relationships Between Simmelian Dyads And Culture FormationFranczak, Jennifer L.Networks and CultureSimmel, Social Network Theory, Corporate CultureSAT.AM2This paper utilizes social network theory to better understand the formation of organizational culture. Organizational culture encompasses a range of factorsthat pattern social interaction in an organization, including formal practices, rituals, symbols, values and norms (Deal and Kennedy, 1982; Pettigrew, 1979;Schein, 1985). A key issue in the organizational culture literature is how to have an effect on cultural change in organizations. Because culture is manifestedand created within social interactions (Jelinek, Smircich, Hirsch, 1983), social network perspectives will help better clarify how culture is embedded within anorganization. Building on Krackhardt and Kilduff (1990, 2002) research, this paper will develop several working propositions on the relationship between thetransmission and formation of culture in organizations and the existence of Simmelian tied dyads in an inter‐organizational network. In this manner, thisresearch seeks to develop a testable approach that will inform a better understanding of the relationship between social structure and culture formationwithin an organization.