Journal articles on the topic 'Informal networks'
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Arbex, Marcelo, and Dennis O’Dea. "Informal work networks." Canadian Journal of Economics/Revue canadienne d'économique 44, no. 1 (February 2011): 247–72. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-5982.2010.01631.x.
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Bdeir, Fadl, John W. Crawford, and Liaquat Hossain. "Informal Networks in Disaster Medicine." Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness 11, no. 3 (December 8, 2016): 343–54. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/dmp.2016.142.
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AbstractObjectiveOur study of informal networks aimed to explore information-sharing environments for the management of disaster medicine and public health preparedness. Understanding interagency coordination in preparing for and responding to extreme events such as disease outbreaks is central to reducing risks and coordination costs.MethodsWe evaluated the pattern of information flow for actors involved in disaster medicine through social network analysis. Social network analysis of agencies can serve as a basis for the effective design and reconstruction of disaster medicine response coordination structures. This research used new theoretical approaches in suggesting a framework and a method to study the outcome of complex inter-organizational networks in coordinating disease outbreak response. We present research surveys of 70 health professionals from different skill sets and organizational positions during the swine influenza A (H1N1) PDM09 2009 pandemic. The survey and interviews were designed to collect both qualitative and quantitative data in order to build a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the dynamics of the inter-organizational networks that evolved during the pandemic.ResultsThe degree centrality of the informal network showed a positive correlation with performance, in which the ego’s performance is related to the number of links he or she establishes informally—outside the standard operating structure during the pandemic. Informal networks facilitate the transmission of both strong (ie, infections, confirmed cases, deaths in hospital or clinic settings) and weak (ie, casual acquaintances) ties.ConclusionsThe results showed that informal networks promoted community-based ad hoc and formal networks, thus making overall disaster medicine and public health preparedness more effective. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2017;11:343–354)
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Horak, Sven, Fida Afiouni, Yanjie Bian, Alena Ledeneva, Maral Muratbekova-Touron, and Carl Fey. "Management and Organization Review Special Issue ‘Social Networks ‒ The Dark and Bright Sides of Informal Networks’." Management and Organization Review 14, no. 2 (June 2018): 439–44. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/mor.2018.21.
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Research on the mechanisms of organizing and managing via interpersonal relations has a rich history in the management and organization-oriented literature. So far, however, the informal dimension of managing and organizing by drawing on informal networks in an international context has received comparably less attention. Recent research has pointed out that social capital and network theories have largely been developed by Western scholars based on circumstances and social structures that are typical of Western societies. Thus, current theory takes into account to a lesser extent their character and nature and the way in which informal ties and networks are formed in other parts of the world (Ledeneva, 2018; Li, 2007b; Qi, 2013; Sato, 2010). Besides the growing body of literature concerned with informal ties and networks in emerging and transitioning countries, for example guanxi (China), blat/ svyazi (Russia), and wasta (Arab World), a trend for analyzing pervasive informal networks in advanced and industrialized economies, such as yongo (Korea), has arisen. While insights from the latter research stream indicate that informal networks persist, the results generated in both research streams will help in developing the extant informal network theories further.
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Horak, Sven, Fid Afiouni, Yanjie Bian, Alena Ledeneva, Maral Muratbekova-Touron, and Carl Fey. "Management and Organization Review Special Issue ‘Social Networks ‒ The Dark and Bright Sides of Informal Networks’." Management and Organization Review 14, no. 3 (September 2018): 641–46. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/mor.2018.47.
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Research on the mechanisms of organizing and managing via interpersonal relations has a rich history in the management and organization-oriented literature. So far, however, the informal dimension of managing and organizing by drawing on informal networks in an international context has received comparably less attention. Recent research has pointed out that social capital and network theories have largely been developed by Western scholars based on circumstances and social structures that are typical of Western societies. Thus, current theory takes into account to a lesser extent their character and nature and the way in which informal ties and networks are formed in other parts of the world (Ledeneva, 2018; Li, 2007b; Qi, 2013; Sato, 2010). Besides the growing body of literature concerned with informal ties and networks in emerging and transitioning countries, for example guanxi (China), blat/svyazi (Russia), and wasta (Arab World), a trend for analyzing pervasive informal networks in advanced and industrialized economies, such as yongo (Korea), has arisen. While insights from the latter research stream indicate that informal networks persist, the results generated in both research streams will help in developing the extant informal network theories further.
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Lin, I.-Fen, and Hsueh-Sheng Wu. "CHANGES IN OLDER ADULTS’ INFORMAL CARE NETWORKS." Innovation in Aging 3, Supplement_1 (November 2019): S825. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igz038.3042.
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Abstract Many older adults rely on informal care networks to overcome challenges in life and maintain well-being. The composition and function of the informal care network may change as existing caregivers leave and new caregivers join the network over time. The majority of prior studies on caregiving to older adults are based on cross-sectional data and thus cannot examine changes in older adults’ informal care networks. Although some have followed older adults’ informal caregivers over time, they usually focus on primary caregivers, rather than the entire informal care network longitudinally. The newly available panel data on a nationally representative sample of caregivers from the National Study of Caregiving (NSOC) provide an excellent opportunity for researchers to understand how older adults’ informal care networks change over time and what factors relate to discontinuation of care. Using the NSOC 2015 and 2017, we found that 70% of older adults (N = 1,395) experienced changed in informal care networks within two years. Only a small portion of spouses (6%) discontinued giving care to older adults, whereas 21% adult children, 56% other kin, and 77% nonkin stopped caregiving by 2017. We further examined how older adults’ needs for support, caregivers’ resources and constraints, and caregiving experiences were associated with discontinuation of care. This study is expected to advance gerontological research by broadening our understanding of informal caregiving in late life and providing practical implications on how to sustain informal care.
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Ng, Daniel C. W., and Kris Law. "Impacts of informal networks on innovation performance: evidence in Shanghai." Chinese Management Studies 9, no. 1 (April 7, 2015): 56–72. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/cms-05-2013-0077.
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Purpose – This paper aims to present an empirical study on how informal networks affect innovation performance of firms in Shanghai. This study is a preliminary attempt to understand the effect of informal networks on innovation performance. Shanghai is selected as the region for data acquisition due to a prominent economic role in China. It is specifically to answer the research question regarding the impact of Chinese informal social network on innovation performance (in Shanghai). Design/methodology/approach – This paper attempts to explore the quantitative effect of informal networks on innovation performance in regard to group behavioural characteristics among executives in China. Findings – A total of 1,000 executives were invited, and there were 315 valid samples returned. Significant correlations are noted in key network variables against innovation performance. The results and findings generally support the hypotheses that “Education”, “Business Referral” and “Experience” are three core constructs exerting substantial influence in innovation performance. However, it is interesting to note that the connectivity and size of informal networks do not matter. Informal networks show no significant influence on innovation performance. Practical implications – This indicates stereotypes in Shanghai social business networks prioritizing on highly educated acquaintances, referral activities and working experiences. Originality/value – This study explores uncovered territory in organization innovation regarding the infiltration of informal networks, particularly in Chinese communities. Though the research context is Shanghai, the effect of informal networks on innovation performance can be extrapolated to other Chinese societies, such as Taiwan and Hong Kong.
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Whelan, Chad. "Informal social networks within and between organisations." Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management 39, no. 1 (March 21, 2016): 145–58. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/pijpsm-07-2015-0087.
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Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the underlying relational properties of security networks by focusing specifically on the relationship between formal and informal ties, and interpersonal and inter-organisational trust. Design/methodology/approach – The research is based on 20 qualitative interviews with senior members of police and security agencies across the field of counter-terrorism in Australia. Findings – The findings suggest that the underlying relational properties of security networks are highly complex, making it difficult to distinguish between formal and informal ties, interpersonal and inter-organisational trust. The findings also address the importance of informal ties and interpersonal trust for the functioning of organisational security networks. Research limitations/implications – The research is exploratory in nature and extends to a number of organisational security networks in the field of counter-terrorism in Australia. While it is anticipated that the findings will be relevant in a variety of contexts, further research is required to advance our knowledge of the implications and properties of informal social networks within defined network boundaries. Practical implications – The findings suggest that the functioning of security networks is likely to be highly dependent on the underlying social relationships between network members. This has practical implications for those responsible for designing and managing security networks. Originality/value – The paper calls attention to a very understudied topic by focusing on the dynamics of informal ties and interpersonal trust within organisational security networks.
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Ahrens, Petra. "Qualitative network analysis: A useful tool for investigating policy networks in transnational settings?" Methodological Innovations 11, no. 1 (January 2018): 205979911876981. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/2059799118769816.
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An essential characteristic of political systems is the coexistence and interdependence of formal and informal policy networks. This article describes applying qualitative network analysis as an innovative method of gathering discursive forms of data on maintaining complex transnational networks in the everyday work of individual actors. Complementary to social network analysis, qualitative network analysis allows collecting details on (a) the meaning individual actors attach to their network ties and the network as a whole, (b) data on informal policy networks not available through quantitative analysis, and (c) an insider view on the relationship between informal and formal policy networks. The article contributes to developing new methodological techniques in studying the European Union policy-making by illustrating opportunities and challenges of qualitative network analysis for studying transnational policy networks.
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Hurlbert, Jeanne S., Valerie a. Haines, and John J. Beggs. "Core Networks and Tie Activation: What Kinds of Routine Networks Allocate Resources in Nonroutine Situations?" American Sociological Review 65, no. 4 (August 2000): 598–618. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/000312240006500407.
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Social resources research has linked activated ties to outcomes—but not to the core networks from which the ties came. This study shifts the focus to the question of how networks allocate resources. The activation of core network ties is analyzed in a nonroutine situation—a hurricane—to determine how core network structure affects the degree to which individuals activate core network ties to gain one type of social resource—informal support. Results show that the structures of individuals’ core networks affect the degree to which individuals activate ties from those networks to gain informal support. Individuals embedded in higher-density core networks (i.e., alters are connected to one another), core networks with more gender diversity (i.e., a mix of men and women), and networks that contain higher proportions of men, kin, and younger individuals, activated core network ties for informal support to a greater degree than did individuals embedded in core networks lacking these characteristics. The conclusions consider the study's implications for understanding resource activation in the contexts of social support and job searches.
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Zhao, Qiang, Yue Shen, and Chaoqian Li. "Credit Behaviors of Rural Households in the Perspective of Complex Social Networks." Complexity 2021 (June 4, 2021): 1–13. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/9975856.
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With the increasing number of social networks emerging and evolving, the influence of social networks on human behavior is now again a subject of discussion in academe. Dynamics in social networks, such as opinion formation and information sharing, are restricting or proliferating members’ behavior on social networks, while new social network dynamics are created by interpersonal contacts and interactions. Based on this and against the backdrop of unfavourable rural credit development, this article uses CHFS data to discuss the whole and heterogeneous impact of social networks on rural household credit behavior. The results show that (1) social networks can effectively promote rural household credit behavior; (2) social networks have a significant positive impact on both formal credit and informal credit, but the influence of the latter is stronger; (3) both emotional networks and instrumental networks have a positive impact on formal credit and informal credit, and their influences are stronger on informal credit; (4) the influence of emotional network is stronger than instrumental networks on either formal credit or informal credit.
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Zehrer, Anita, and Harald Pechlaner. "Informal networks in tourism publishing." European Journal of Tourism Research 3, no. 1 (March 1, 2010): 23–37. http://dx.doi.org/10.54055/ejtr.v3i1.43.
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Greater size and complexity of research activities lead to a higher need for collaboration, which has been reflected in the formation of social relationships in the form of research coalitions and collaborative research networks in the past decades. This is an empirical paper that explores the pertinent issues of informal networks in tourism publishing. The paper undertakes a thorough review of the relevant literature before developing propositions regarding collaborative activities of tourism researchers. To empirically test how and why researchers collaborate, a web-based electronic study was carried out asking members of international scientific tourism organizations about their collaboration activities. Findings reveal that tourism researchers collaborate mainly for accessing expertise and for working efficiently.
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Milligan, Colin, Allison Littlejohn, and Anoush Margaryan. "Workplace Learning in Informal Networks." Journal of Interactive Media in Education 2014, no. 1 (March 21, 2014): 6. http://dx.doi.org/10.5334/2014-06.
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de Laat, Maarten, and Bieke Schreurs. "Visualizing Informal Professional Development Networks." American Behavioral Scientist 57, no. 10 (March 11, 2013): 1421–38. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0002764213479364.
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Orbach, Maya, Maegen Demko, Jeremy Doyle, Benjamin N. Waber, and Alex (Sandy) Pentland. "Sensing Informal Networks in Organizations." American Behavioral Scientist 59, no. 4 (November 21, 2014): 508–24. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0002764214556810.
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Bentelspacher, Carl E., Ella Duncan, Bernice Collins, Donald James Scandell, and Thomas Regulus. "African American Informal Support Networks." Social Work in Mental Health 4, no. 3 (July 31, 2006): 23–43. http://dx.doi.org/10.1300/j200v04n03_02.
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de Mesquita, Ethan Bueno, and Matthew Stephenson. "Legal Institutions and Informal Networks." Journal of Theoretical Politics 18, no. 1 (January 2006): 40–67. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0951629806059595.
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Bloch, Francis, Garance Genicot, and Debraj Ray. "Informal insurance in social networks." Journal of Economic Theory 143, no. 1 (November 2008): 36–58. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jet.2008.01.008.
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Silva, Andres, Maria Isabel Satic, and Diego Monteza. "Informal Networks and Food Security." Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior 55, no. 7 (July 2023): 37. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jneb.2023.05.081.
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SUANET, BIANCA, MARJOLEIN I. BROESE VAN GROENOU, and THEO G. VAN TILBURG. "Social network type and informal care use in later life: a comparison of three Dutch birth cohorts aged 75–84." Ageing and Society 39, no. 4 (November 9, 2017): 749–70. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0144686x17001246.
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ABSTRACTRecent societal changes have increased the salience of non-kin relationships. It can be questioned whether network types that are more strongly non-kin-based give more informal care nowadays. We study how informal care use differs according to network type for three birth cohorts. Data from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA) on older adults aged 75–84 years, interviewed in 1992, 2002 and 2012, respectively (total sample size N = 2,151, analytical sample having functional limitations N = 926). We found four network types: restricted, family-focused with a partner, family-focused without a partner and wider community-focused diverse networks. Wider community-focused diverse networks are more common in the late birth cohort, whereas restricted networks and family-focused networks without a partner are less common. Logistic regression analyses reveal that those in a family-focused network with a partner use informal care more often than those in the other three network types, and insignificant interaction terms show that this does not differ by birth cohort. Irrespective of their network type, those in the late birth cohort use informal care less often. However, after controlling for need, predisposing and context factors, this cohort-difference is no longer significant. We conclude that despite large-scale societal changes, wider community-focused diverse networks do not provide more informal care than before and that among the functionally impaired, the odds of receiving informal care does not decline across birth cohorts.
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Zancan, Claudio, João Luiz Passador, and Cláudia Souza Passador. "Optimizing network infrastructure for streamlined information technology execution in a Federal Higher Education Institution." International Journal of Scientific Management and Tourism 9, no. 4 (August 2, 2023): 2128–56. http://dx.doi.org/10.55905/ijsmtv9n4-012.
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This research aimed to analyze the structure of both formal and informal networks involved in Information Technology (IT) activities at the Federal University of Alagoas (UFAL). A survey was conducted to find the actors and assess the structural, relational, and centrality indicators within the formal and informal networks linked to IT activities at the university. The research employed document analysis, direct observation, and interviews with network members to set up the relationships among the actors in these networks and draw the main conclusions. The results revealed a significant disparity between the actors and indicators of the formal and informal networks. The informal network showed a larger number of actors and sectors involved, while the network density was low. This suggests the presence of untapped potential for exploring information, resources, and alternatives in the execution of IT activities. Additionally, it is recommended that future studies compare the networks and indicators based on their determinants to evaluate their impact on execution.
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Keller, Jakob, Patricia Burkhardt, and Rainer Lasch. "Informal governance in the digital transformation." International Journal of Operations & Production Management 41, no. 7 (August 3, 2021): 1060–84. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/ijopm-09-2020-0660.
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PurposeThe purpose of this study is to explore if and how informal governance mechanisms are used for coordinating actors of digitalized supply networks.Design/methodology/approachA multiple case study analysis of ten German firms in digitalized supply networks is conducted. Data are collected through semi-structured expert interviews with interviewees having notable years of professional experience in purchasing or sales.FindingsThis research shows that reduced personal contacts in digitalized supply networks decrease the ability to coordinate with informal governance mechanisms. However, the need for informal governance in digitalized supply networks remains when facing supply network disruptions or building new business relationships.Originality/valueThis is the first study examining the role of informal governance mechanisms in digitalized supply networks. Theoretical and practical insights on the changing abilities and needs to use informal governance after the digital transformation are given.
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Katz, Matthew, Nefertiti A. Walker, and Lauren C. Hindman. "Gendered Leadership Networks in the NCAA: Analyzing Affiliation Networks of Senior Woman Administrators and Athletic Directors." Journal of Sport Management 32, no. 2 (March 1, 2018): 135–49. http://dx.doi.org/10.1123/jsm.2017-0306.
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The purpose of this study is to examine and compare the informal networks of both senior woman administrators (SWAs) and athletic directors (ADs) within National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I institutions. Drawing on extant literature citing the underrepresentation of women in sport leadership positions, we incorporate a network approach to build and analyze affiliation networks of SWAs and ADs. Guided by the framework of Leadership in Networks, we argue that the social structures within which ADs and SWAs operate impact opportunities for leader emergence and leadership outcomes. By comparing the AD and SWA affiliation networks, we illustrate the differences in informal networks among men and women leaders in sport, highlighting how informal networks may contribute to the lack of women in sport leadership positions. Previous scholars have long cited an “old boys’ club” as a barrier to women achieving leadership positions, but we argue these studies have largely relied on dispositional evidence rather than methodological and analytical strategies designed specifically to examine relationships and the corresponding network structures. Our results indicate that the SWA network is far less cohesive than the AD networks, and the few women in the AD networks are largely located outside the center of the affiliation networks. Implications regarding the impact of informal networks on the underrepresented nature of women in leadership positions are discussed.
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Martin-Rios, Carlos, and Niclas Erhardt. "Small business activity and knowledge exchange in informal interfirm networks." International Small Business Journal: Researching Entrepreneurship 35, no. 3 (September 30, 2016): 285–305. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0266242616667540.
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This article explores knowledge search strategies of technology-based small firms (TBSFs) and the role that informal and proximate relationships play in the development of knowledge networks, through which knowledge exchange occurs. Drawing on interfirm relationship and social network theory, we contend that TBSFs participate in informal networks to exchange technology, market and managerial knowledge, to the extent that these knowledge configurations facilitate acquisition of external knowledge critical for their learning processes by TBSFs. Results indicate that a firm’s engagement in the exchange of various sources of knowledge is directly related to its economic activity and strategic knowledge priorities, which shape the structural dimensions of interfirm informal networks. While informal networks remain informal, certain TBSFs formalize their participation as they obtain and combine knowledge resources that are important for their activity. In examining how different interests and roles impact participation in informal interfirm networks, this study contributes to the literature on small firms and collaborative relationships.
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Lowers, Jane, Duzhi Zhao, Evan Bollens-Lund, Dio Kavalieratos, and Katherine Ornstein. "INFORMAL CARE NETWORKS AMONG ADULTS AGING SOLO." Innovation in Aging 6, Supplement_1 (November 1, 2022): 358. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igac059.1414.
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Abstract More than 20% of older adults lacks proximal family caregivers. Yet is it unclear who provides support for this growing population. Using 2015 National Health and Aging Trends Study data for 2,998 community-dwelling Medicare beneficiaries who received help with at least one task (e.g., bathing, shopping, insurance help) in the past month, we identified individuals aging solo (no spouse/partner or children residing in the same state) and determined social and caregiving network size and composition. Compared to married peers with nearby children, adults aging solo (7.6% of sample) had social networks of similar size but greater diversity (i.e., more friends, neighbors). Adults aging solo were significantly more likely to rely on paid help and a wider network of informal caregivers, including distal family, and friends. Social networks can anchor interventions to help adults aging solo prepare for future care needs and inform policies to support informal caregiving.
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ESSIEN, Adeola Adesola. "Informal Entrepreneurial Network Education as a Catalyst for Women’s Enterprises Sustainability: Evidence From Nigeria." Business and Management Studies 7, no. 2 (April 28, 2021): 31. http://dx.doi.org/10.11114/bms.v7i2.5191.
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Extant studies in the literature have found that informal entrepreneurship education has concentrated largely on technical skills and has continually ignored the current needs of informal entrepreneurs at the stage of entry and development performance of most informal enterprises. In spite of Africa informal sector that accounted for 85.5% informal enterprises in size than other continents, yet, it is worrisome that the sub-Saharan Africa contribution of informal sector to gross domestic product (GDP) between 2000 and 2010 has dropped from 63.6% to 55%, resulting to rising poverty rate, alarming youth unemployment rate, higher enterprises closure rate, and indeed, declining unstable enterprises. As such, this study empirically examines the impact of informal entrepreneurial network education on women’s enterprises sustainability in Nigeria, using NECA Women entrepreneurs association. To achieve this specific objective, the study decomposed informal entrepreneurial network into three networks, the NECA Women entrepreneurs association, the Government agencies association, and the social media platform and the average value represent the informal entrepreneurial network education to regress on the dependent variable, the women enterprises sustainability. A total of 100 questionnaires were distributed and administered via the google survey from the six-geopolitical regions in Nigeria. The study employed statistical packages for social sciences (SPSS) to estimate the research questions and the impact of informal entrepreneurial network education on women enterprises sustainability, using descriptive statistics and OLS regression respectively. The descriptive results found that of the three informal entrepreneurial networks, NECA women association exhibited a strong interactive (3.28 of 5.00 Likert scale) entrepreneurial network education than use of government agencies and social media platform that exhibited weak interactive (1.8 and 1.94 of 5.00 Likert scale) enterperneurial network education among informal entrepreneurs in Nigeria. In addition, OLS regression result found that all three informal entrepreneurial networks education has a 38.9% impact on women’s enterprises sustainability within the study periods of October and December, 2020 in Nigeria at 1% level of significance. Based on the results, the study concluded that NECA women entrepreneurial interactive network outperformed both government agencies and social media interactive networks and thus, the study recommends that the NECA women entrepreneurs should consolidate more than the economic perspective by extending to the remaining triple bottom line factors such as environmental and social factors as to meet both current needs and future generation needs of the enterprises stakeholders in this study.
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DUNÉR, ANNA, and MONICA NORDSTRÖM. "The roles and functions of the informal support networks of older people who receive formal support: a Swedish qualitative study." Ageing and Society 27, no. 1 (December 6, 2006): 67–85. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0144686x06005344.
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Several studies of frail older people have focused on the relationship between formal and informal care, while others have examined the character of inter-generational relationships. Yet knowledge of the significance of the informal-support networks of older people who receive formal care is still scarce. The aim of this paper was to explore how older Swedes who receive formal elder-care experienced their informal support networks. The findings presented emanate from a qualitative case study. The structural, interaction and functional dimensions of the support networks were the main analytical tools. In the study population, the size of the formal support network varied from one to 12 people (or categories of people), and the size of the informal support network varied from one to six people (or categories of people). The main results demonstrate the importance of informal support with reciprocal relationships, and the value of confidants and emotional support, both of which contribute to feelings of belonging, security and wellbeing. A well-functioning formal and informal support network allows individuals to maintain autonomy in old age, even when they have to depend on help from others.
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LITWIN, HOWARD. "Social networks, ethnicity and public home-care utilisation." Ageing and Society 24, no. 6 (November 2004): 921–39. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0144686x04002491.
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This article examines the relationships between support networks, ethnicity and the utilisation of formal care services, taking into account background characteristics and functional health status among 3,403 older people in Israel. Data were drawn from a national survey in 1997 of people aged 60 or more years. The outcome variable was the use of publicly-financed personal care or homemaking services. About 15 per cent of the study population made use of such home care. Six informal support network constellations were identified by applying cluster analysis to key criterion variables that reflect the inter-personal milieu. The resultant network types were: community-clan, family-focused, diverse, friend-focused, neighbour-focused, and restricted networks. Binary logistic regression revealed that the use of formal home-care services was significantly associated with a respondent's age, gender, functional level and informal support network type (Nagelkerke R2=0.39). No association was found between home-care utilisation and a respondent's ethnicity (Arab, Jew, and new Russian immigrant), income or education. The results show that publicly-financed formal care services were utilised more frequently by older-old persons, women, functionally impaired individuals and people embedded in the neighbour-focused and restricted networks (and to a lesser degree, in the diverse and friend-focused networks). Neighbour-focused and restricted network types were characterised by fewer informal support resources at their disposal than the other types. Thus, formal home care was sought more often in cases in which the informal sources of support had less capacity to provide ongoing informal care.
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Abrams, Samuel, Torben Iversen, and David Soskice. "Informal Social Networks and Rational Voting." British Journal of Political Science 41, no. 2 (December 10, 2010): 229–57. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0007123410000499.
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Classical rational choice explanations of voting participation are widely thought to have failed. This article argues that the currently dominant Group Mobilization and Ethical Agency approaches have serious shortcomings in explaining individually rational turnout. It develops an informal social network (ISN) model in which people rationally vote if their informal networks of family and friends attach enough importance to voting, because voting leads to social approval and vice versa. Using results from the social psychology literature, research on social groups in sociology and their own survey data, the authors argue that the ISN model can explain individually rational non-altruistic turnout. If group variables that affect whether voting is used as a marker of individual standing in groups are included, the likelihood of turnout rises dramatically.
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Susandy, Gugyh, and Yanu Endar Prasetyo. "Social Network and Organizational Leadership at the Higher Education Institution: A Case Study." Indonesian Journal of Sustainability Accounting and Management 3, no. 1 (June 13, 2019): 37. http://dx.doi.org/10.28992/ijsam.v3i1.70.
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The roles of social network and informal leadership network are not only crucial to companies or government institutions, but also to the academic institutions. As the interaction within the organization becomes more complex and dynamic, there is a lack of knowledge of the overall picture of informal leadership network at the higher education institution. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of three types of social networks and informal leadership in Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Ekonomi Sutaatmadja (STIESA). They are the information network in an internal organization, cooperation network in technical problem solving of the organization, and a personal support network in the organization. The method used in this research was survey and Social Network Analysis (SNA). The respondents in this research were the whole leaders and staffs of STIESA. The findings of this study classified the three social networks and informal leadership and built network matric to be further explored for the strategic decision-making process of the organization. Each type of social network and informal leadership, along with its characteristics, is discussed and explored.
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Thompson, J. Victor. "The Elderly and their Informal Social Networks." Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement 8, no. 4 (1989): 319–32. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0714980800008539.
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ABSTRACTA sample of 334 people aged 56 and over living in the Capital Regional District of B. C. (Greater Victoria) were interviewed about their supportive social network. Four social supportive roles were investigated: caretaker, helper, confidant, and advisor.Most of the sample had network members to fulfil these roles, however, in the lives of about one-fifth of the respondents, support in one or more of these areas was not available. Although most of the respondents in excellent or good health felt no need for more people in certain supportive roles, more people with fair or poor health expressed a need for more people in their supportive networks.This research supports earlier findings about the vulnerability of women who are widowed and over 74 years old. They are the group most in need of socially supportive networks.
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Schreurs, Bieke, Antoine Van den Beemt, Nienke Moolenaar, and Maarten De Laat. "Networked individualism and learning in organizations." Journal of Workplace Learning 31, no. 2 (April 3, 2019): 95–115. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/jwl-05-2018-0070.
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Purpose This paper aims to investigate the extent professionals from the vocational sector are networked individuals. The authors explore how professionals use their personal networks to engage in a wide variety of learning activities and examine what social mechanisms influence professionals’ agency to form personal informal learning networks. Design/methodology/approach This study applied a mixed-method approach to data collection. Social network data were gathered among school professionals working in the vocational sector. Ego-network analysis was performed. A total of 24 in-depth, semi-structured, qualitative interviews were analyzed. Findings This study found that networked individualism is not represented to its full potential in the vocational sector. However, it is important to form informal learning ties with different stakeholders because all types of informal learning ties serve different learning purposes. The extent to which social mechanisms (i.e. proximity, trust, level of expertise and homophily) influence professionals’ agency to form informal learning ties differs depending on the stakeholder with whom the informal learning ties are formed. Research limitations/implications This study excludes the investigation of social mechanisms that shape learning through more impersonal virtual learning resources, such as social media or expert forums. Moreover, the authors only included individual- and dyadic-level social mechanisms. Practical implications By investigating the social mechanisms that shape informal learning ties, this study provides insights how professionals can be stimulated to build rich personal learning networks in the vocational sector. Originality/value The authors extend earlier research with in-depth information on the different types of learning activities professionals engage in in their personal learning networks with different stakeholders. The ego-network perspective reveals how different social mechanisms influence professionals’ agency to shape informal learning networks with different stakeholders.
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Jimenez, Danielle, Francesca Falzarano, Amy Horowitz, Verena Cimarolli, and Jillian Minahan. "LONG-DISTANCE CAREGIVERS’ INFORMAL CARE NETWORKS." Innovation in Aging 3, Supplement_1 (November 2019): S557. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igz038.2059.
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Abstract The purpose of this study (N=304) was to examine the characteristics of LDCs’ informal caregiver (IC) network (Co-caregivers [Co-CG], other informal helpers) providing assistance to the care recipient (CR), and factors associated with more help received from ICs. The majority of LDCs in the sample reported working with at least one IC (81.9%) indicating the existence of a secondary care network. LDCs and Co-CGs were often siblings in comparison to other informal helpers that were more likely to be the CR’s friend. Results also show that CRs with children, living in the community, receiving no formal services, and lower levels of cognitive impairment receive more hours of help from ICs. In addition, more hours of help by ICs were associated with LDCs’ having higher scores of depression and anxiety, spending more hours per month helping the CR, and more frequent contact with CR. These seemingly discrepant findings are discussed.
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Stoller, Eleanor Palo, and Karen L. Pugliesi. "Informal Networks of Community-Based Elderly." Research on Aging 10, no. 4 (December 1988): 499–516. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0164027588104004.
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Nirmala, Maria, and Madhava Vemuri. "Leveraging informal networks in knowledge management." Journal of Knowledge Management 13, no. 3 (May 29, 2009): 146–56. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/13673270910962932.
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Caudell, Mark, Thomas Rotolo, and Mulye Grima. "Informal lending networks in rural Ethiopia." Social Networks 40 (January 2015): 34–42. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.socnet.2014.07.003.
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Garmaise, Mark J., and Tobias J. Moskowitz. "Informal Financial Networks: Theory and Evidence." Review of Financial Studies 16, no. 4 (August 11, 2003): 1007–40. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/rfs/hhg025.
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Deumert, Ana, Brett Inder, and Pushkar Maitra. "Language, Informal Networks and Social Protection." Global Social Policy: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Public Policy and Social Development 5, no. 3 (December 2005): 303–28. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1468018105057414.
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Kleiner, Art, Robert L. Cross, Jon Katzenbach, and William A. Pasmore. "Informal Networks and the Top Team." Academy of Management Proceedings 2012, no. 1 (July 2012): 12750. http://dx.doi.org/10.5465/ambpp.2012.12750symposium.
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Chaffin, Brian C., Theresa M. Floyd, and Sandra L. Albro. "Leadership in informal stormwater governance networks." PLOS ONE 14, no. 10 (October 17, 2019): e0222434. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0222434.
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Murrell, Andrew James, Ben Rimmer, Lizzie Dutton, Joanne Lewis, Richéal Burns, Pamela Gallagher, Sophie Williams, Vera Araújo-Soares, Tracy Finch, and Linda Sharp. "The Nature and Quality of Support from Informal Networks for Informal Caregivers of Low-Grade Glioma Patients: A Qualitative Analysis within the Ways Ahead Study." European Journal of Cancer Care 2023 (July 29, 2023): 1–12. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2023/4149412.
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Objective. Those closest to the patients with low-grade glioma (LGG) often become informal caregivers (ICs). Caregiving demands can impact ICs’ wellbeing, meaning they themselves may require support. We explored the nature and quality of support from informal networks for ICs of LGG patients. Methods. In this cross-sectional qualitative study, semistructured interviews were conducted with individuals from the United Kingdom who currently, or in the past five years, informally cared for someone diagnosed with an LGG. Interviews explored ICs’ experiences of receiving support from informal networks. Thematic analysis was undertaken. Results. Nineteen ICs were interviewed (mean age 54.6 years; 5 males, 14 females). ICs received multiple forms of support from their informal networks: emotional (e.g., “opportunities to talk”), instrumental (e.g., “opportunities for relief”), information (e.g., “information from network contacts”), and appraisal (e.g., “comparisons with similar others”). Networks comprised strong/familiar (e.g., close friends) and weaker/unfamiliar (e.g., other ICs) ties. Supportive networks were perceived to help protect ICs’ wellbeing. Participants perceived challenges such as poor understanding and unsolicited advice to weaken the quality of support. Conclusion. Informal networks can provide wide-ranging support for ICs of the LGG patients. Different supports may be sought or provided from different contacts, highlighting the importance and value of extended networks.
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Burzynska, Katarzyna, and Sonja Opper. "Interbank Relations, Environmental Uncertainty, and Corporate Credit Access in China." Management and Organization Review 16, no. 3 (July 2020): 595–628. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/mor.2020.25.
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ABSTRACTWe hypothesize that informal bank networks influence corporate credit access in China. Our sample comprises a panel of 515 corporations listed on China's stock exchanges with a total of 1,052 firm-year observations, holding a total of 7,009 major bank loans from 183 distinct banks between 2007 and 2012. Results support the hypothesis that closure in bank networks facilitates credit access. We further show that the positive closure-performance association offers fewer advantages if financial markets and the legal infrastructure are relatively well developed. Our findings contribute to an emergent literature examining how informal networks can productively substitute weak formal institutions, and how the interplay between informal networks and network embeddedness shapes individual and corporate strategies.
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Ikeda, Ken’ichi, and Sean Richey. "The Impact of Diversity in Informal Social Networks on Tolerance in Japan." British Journal of Political Science 39, no. 3 (July 2009): 655–68. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0007123408000574.
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Scholars often incorrectly categorize informal social networks as homogeneous and dismiss their potential for exposing members to diverse opinions. Recent research in the United States, however, shows that diversity in informal social networks exists and has a positive influence on political tolerance. Whether exposure to a politically heterogeneous network also increases tolerance in socially homogeneous Japan is tested here. To do this, two new Japanese national sample surveys that utilize name-generator methodology were created and administered to a sample of respondents, as well as a new measure of network political diversity in a multi-party system. Also, an additional type of tolerance, moral tolerance, was tested. The conclusion is that diversity in informal social networks has a positive influence on political and moral tolerance in Japan.
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Leonard, Rosemary, Debbie Horsfall, John Rosenberg, and Kerrie Noonan. "Carer experience of end-of-life service provision: a social network analysis." BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care 10, no. 2 (February 10, 2018): e20-e20. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjspcare-2017-001344.
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ObjectiveTo identify the position of formal service providers in the networks of those providing end-of-life care in the home from the perspective of the informal network.MethodsUsing third-generation social network analysis, this study examined the nature and strength of relationships of informal caring networks with formal service providers through individual carer interviews, focus groups of caring networks and outer network interviews.ResultsService providers were usually highly valued for providing services, equipment, pain management and personalised care for the dying person plus support and advice to the principal carer about both caring tasks and negotiating the health system. However, formal service providers were positioned as marginal in the caring network. Analysis of the relative density of relationships within networks showed that whereas relationships among family and friends had similar density, relationships between service providers and family or friends were significantly lower.ConclusionThe results supported the Circles of Care model and mirror the perspective of formal service providers identified in previous research. The research raises questions about how formal and informal networks might be better integrated to increase their effectiveness for supporting in-home care.
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JACOBS, MARIANNE, THEO VAN TILBURG, PETER GROENEWEGEN, and MARJOLEIN BROESE VAN GROENOU. "Linkages between informal and formal care-givers in home-care networks of frail older adults." Ageing and Society 36, no. 8 (June 15, 2015): 1604–24. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0144686x15000598.
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ABSTRACTIn ageing societies, policy makers aim for more contact between informal and formal care-givers as it may enhance the quality of care. So far, the linkage between formal and informal care-givers is generally studied from a one-sided or a single dyadic perspective, without taking into account that care networks of community-dwelling older adults often exist of multiple informal and formal care-givers. The current study examines discussion of care between all potential informal–formal care-giver dyads in a care network, and relates this to characteristics of the older care recipient, the care network and the care-givers. Seventy-four Dutch older care recipients provided information on all care-givers who helped with five different types of tasks; 410 care-givers reported on the contact between all care-givers identified. Multi-level logistic regression was conducted in 2,150 informal–formal care-giver dyads and revealed that in 26 per cent of all these dyads discussion on care occurred. This was more likely when both care-givers performed multiple types of tasks, the informal care-giver was residing with the care recipient, and contact within the formal and the informal sub-network was higher. To enhance discussion of care between informal and formal care-givers in care networks where no discussion occurs at all, home-care organisations may need to allocate formal care-givers who form a bridge with an extra-residential care-giver of care recipients living alone.
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Apaydin, Marina, Jon Thornberry, and Yusuf M. Sidani. "Informal Social Networks as Intermediaries in Foreign Markets." Management and Organization Review 16, no. 3 (July 2020): 629–56. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/mor.2020.17.
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ABSTRACTWe investigate how informal social networks can assist multinational firms in their internationalization strategy. We propose a refinement of the Uppsala internalization model (Johanson & Vahne, 2009) grounded in network theory, by developing an intermediate position between an ‘insider’ and an ‘outsider’ for conditions when the transformation of an outsider into an insider is limited by institutional constraints. An intermediary position represents one of the sides of ‘patron-client’ informal networks (Denoeux, 1993) whereby the other side is represented by the ‘insider’. We argue that this setup would help mitigate the Liability of Outsidership (Johanson & Vahne, 2009), a replacement of the Liability of Foreignness (Hymer, 1976; Zaheer, 1995), in the modern networked business world. We contextualize our proposition for the case of Iran, a large rising West-Asian economy with known institutional limitations, and suggest that the informal network of local merchants (bazaaries) could play an important intermediary role in Multinational Enterprises (MNEs) internationalization process. We review the history of bazaaries and make a series of propositions exemplifying possible ways informal networks could influence the internationalization process. In addition to re-affirming the importance of the MNE country of origin (emerging markets, and low psychic distance with Iran), we propose that an intermediary of the Iranian bazaaries will have a positive impact on performance and survival of the MNE's subsidiary in Iran, especially in the case of incongruence of MNE's leadership with Shi'a Islam. Additionally, we suggest that employing the Iranian diaspora may also improve subsidiary performance and survival.
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Ponnala, Siddarth, Dustin T. Weiler, Andrea Gilmore-Bykovskiy, Laura Block, Amy J. Kind, and Nicole E. Werner. "Towards an Understanding of Informal Care Networks of Persons with Dementia: Perceptions of Primary Caregivers." Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting 62, no. 1 (September 2018): 561–62. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1541931218621128.
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Introduction Although an understanding of the patient work system has been increasing in the field of Ergonomics and Human Factors, the role of informal caregivers (unpaid, nonprofessional caregivers) within the patient work system remains largely unexplored (Holden, Schubert, & Mickelson, 2015; Holden, Valdez, Schubert, Thompson, & Hundt, 2017). Informal caregivers include the family members and friends of persons with dementia (PwD), or anyone else who is unpaid, and a non-professional caregiver for a PWD(Reinhard, Given, Petlick, & Bemis, 2008). Nevertheless, informal caregivers are often unsupported and lack guidance with caregiving activities(Alrashed, 2017; Bossen, Christensen, Grönvall, & Vestergaard, 2013). This study represents a first step to define the work of informal caregivers, identify variations in caregiver involvement across multiple caregivers, and explore the perceptions of the primary caregiver (PC) regarding the care network. Understanding the specific roles and work associated with providing care can help us to support and prepare future and current informal caregivers on how to overcome barriers in the work system and increase quality of care for the PwD. Methods Semi-structured interviews were used to encourage 20 self- identified primary caregivers to discuss their daily experiences in providing care to a PwD. Interview questions related to: 1) the daily activities of informal caregivers; 2) the strategies, tools, and resources used and developed by informal caregivers to manage caregiving responsibilities; 3) unmet needs in providing care; and 4) the context in which informal caregiving occurred. We used a thematic analysis with the goal of understanding informal caregiving roles in the PwD work system. Guided by the research questions, structural coding of passages in the transcripts was performed by two members of the research team. The team also mapped the caregiver networks to understand the differences in each role network level. Results The results revealed that the work of informal caregivers of PwD consists of a wide range of tasks that can be physically challenging as well as mentally and emotionally burdensome. Our analysis also revealed distinct variations in care networks and primary caregiver perceptions of other themes: 1) informal caregivers operate at three role levels of care within the care network; 2) PwD care networks vary greatly in size and relationships, and 3) PCs act as gatekeepers to the care network. Caregivers were mapped across three levels of the PwD's care network based on frequency of interactions with the PC and PwD, communication patterns, and contributions to the care activities. Care networks varied between 2 and 11 caregivers who contributed to the care activities in some capacity. The relationships between caregivers and PwD varied greatly, including spouses, children, siblings, neighbors, and volunteers. Further, we found that there is usually one PC for every PwD. The PC acts as a gatekeeper to the care network by regulating interactions between other caregivers and the PwD. The PC also had different expectations for each caregiver based on their relationship to the PwD. Discussion This research presents preliminary findings on the roles of informal caregivers of persons with dementia. These results warrant further investigation into role delineation, primary, secondary, and tertiary caregiver expectations, and the full conceptualization of caregiver work. A formal network analysis that maps caregiver activities to specific roles may be beneficial to understand all the contributions to the care network. These findings are valuable to inform patient work system design in informal care settings. Currently, there is a lack of guidance on how informal caregivers should coordinate care for patients with chronic illness in their homes, and a lack of support for these informal care activities. Defining caregiver work and understanding caregiver perceptions of work can pave a path towards designing better patient work systems to connect the network more efficiently, while improving care quality in informal settings.
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Linden, A. R., S. Ponnala, and N. E. Werner. "Applying Epistemic Network Analysis to Explore The Distribution of Work Across Dementia Care Networks." Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting 66, no. 1 (September 2022): 587–91. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1071181322661315.
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Persons living with dementia (PwD) rely on the support of informal caregivers such as family and friends, who often perform caregiving work within a network of both informal and formal supports. Recent research has provided insight into the size and structure of care networks, however little is known about how the caregiving work is performed and distributed across the various roles. We applied Epistemic Network Analysis (ENA) to transcripts of 30 semi-structured interviews with primary dementia caregivers to create network graphs that illustrate the difference in how primary caregivers perceive the work performed between informal and formal supports. We identified significant differences in the way that primary caregivers leverage the types of support in their care networks, expanding our understanding of the function and needs of a dementia care network.
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Prasetyo, Yanu Endar. "MAPPING AND EXPLORING INFORMAL NETWORK IN ORGANIZATIONAL AND COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP." Journal of Asian Rural Studies 2, no. 1 (January 22, 2018): 37. http://dx.doi.org/10.20956/jars.v2i1.1363.
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Work often happens through informal interactions and relationships. Formal networks and vertical channels no longer enough for the organizational and community capacity to adapt to the rapid social changes and disruptions. Just as the network knowledge is an asset for any organization in the disruptive era, understanding people’s connections and network’s approach is critically important in the cultural transformation of the leadership in the community and organization. The purpose of this article is to review and investigate how Social Network Analysis (SNA) could visualize and analyze the informal networks in organizational and community leadership’s studies. This study introduces a model that combines organizational leadership and community leadership as a social relations category in a micro- sociological perspective. By applying social network approach to evaluating leadership network, the organization or community can more efficiently scale and accelerate their development as well as solves their leadership problems. This method is useful for those who are seeking to influence policy, disseminate new ideas, and mobilize resources towards a common or a specific goal. SNA provides a set of theories, tools, and processes for understanding the relationships and structures of a network. SNA will determine the particular measures, from simple to complex rules, which need to be applied to derive insights from the network and how the network system is structured and evolved with time. The results of this review could help leaders to diagnose, measure, and evaluate their informal network structures and dynamics which are connected through shared interests, work, experiences, and collaborations.
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Meister, Izabel Patricia, and Alexandra Okada. "The knowledge in virtual networks with social media to promote open education: habitat of collective intelligences." EmRede - Revista de Educação a Distância 8, no. 2 (December 30, 2021): 1–20. http://dx.doi.org/10.53628/emrede.v8i2.799.
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This exploratory study examines how knowledge is created in virtual networks with social media in the context of resilience and adversity, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study is to explore social network interactions to improve informal learning. Participants were members of the COLEARN community including educators, students, researchers and professionals from Brazil interested in Open Education enhanced by technologies for Responsible Research and Innovation. This community, started in 2008 on the OpenLearn Moodle platform, became an open education network in 2012 expanded with FaceBook. It is currently focused on the open schooling approach to promote partnerships between universities, schools and society on real socio-scientific issues with the multi-network platform of the CONNECT project in Brazil and Europe. Findings suggest that informal learning can be enriched with the possibility of establishing networks of investigation, knowledge and innovation based on the understanding of how knowledge is constructed in virtual social networks and by observing the movement of collective intelligences instituted in them.
Keywords: Social networks. Open schooling. Informal Learning. Collective intelligence. Responsible Research and Innovation.
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Martins, Saturnina Alves da Silva, Marcio C. Machado, Maciel M. Queiroz, and Renato Telles. "The relationship between quality and governance mechanisms." Benchmarking: An International Journal 27, no. 3 (February 14, 2020): 1085–104. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/bij-03-2019-0114.
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PurposeRecent literature has highlighted the importance of quality and governance in supply networks. Usually, the relationships between the actors are complex, comprising both formal and informal interactions. Despite recent advances in quality and governance in supply networks, extant literature highlights the lack of quality in healthcare supply-chain networks in relation to governance mechanisms. This paper aims to investigate the role of governance mechanisms and their influence on the quality of healthcare supply networks, and assumes that governance instruments can support quality performance.Design/methodology/approachA multiple-case research approach was employed. Six organisations in the Brazilian healthcare sector were analysed (four operate only with renal replacement therapy, one is a material supplier, and one operates with renal replacement therapy and collective procurement).FindingsFindings showed that there is no formalised supply network structure in these organisations. A possible consequence of this is that the supply-network governance is dominated by informal relationships. In the quality dimension, managers' awareness is limited, but there are mechanisms in place to control the quality of the materials.Practical implicationsHealthcare managers can actively invest in the social aspects of the relationship between buyer and supplier, such as trust and commitment, thus increasing responsiveness in patient care. However, this informal procedure can lead to problems with tracking and reliability, ultimately leading to quality problems. Therefore, it is recommended that formal and informal governance instruments be used jointly to improve service quality.Originality/valueThis study suggests that the integration of formal and informal mechanisms of governance can improve the quality of supply networks. Additionally, if the administrative process is purely formal, network relationships and their efficiency will be impaired.