USING SOCIAL NETWORKS FOR YOUR SUCCESS
SOCIAL NETWORK THEORY
Social network analysis that is related to Network Theory has emerged as a tool to understand how social network works. Social network have been studied for quite a while, in fields ranging from modern sociology, anthropology, social psychology, communication studies, information science, organizational studies as well as Biology.
Human Social Networks are characterized by rich variation at the individual level. Some people have few friends whereas others have many. Some people are embedded in tightly-knit groups where everyone knows each other, whereas others belong to many different groups where there is little overlap between friends. To explain this variation, scholars have sought simple models of network formation that generate an emphatically realistic distribution of network characteristics as an endogenous outcome of a self-organizing progress. The fundamental building blocks of human social networks are egocentric properties of each individual in the network the degree (the number of a person’s contacts, or social ties) and transitivity (the likelihood that two of a person’s contacts are connected to each other, also called the clustering coefficient).
A network is a set of relationships. More formally, a network contains a set of objects (in mathematical terms, nodes) and a mapping or description of relations between the objects or nodes. The simplest network contains two objects, 1 and 2, and one relationship that links them. Nodes 1 and 2, for example, might be people, and the relationship that links them might be “standing in the same room”. Alternatively, a network is a set of ‘patterned relationships between individuals, groups, and organizations’.
A social network is a social structure made of nodes (which are generally individuals or organizations) that are tied by one or more specific types of interdependency, such as values, visions, ideas, financial exchange, friendship, kinship, dislike, conflict or trade. The resulting structures are often very complex, after all human nature is inherently complex. The question of how the pattern of interconnection among social entities – consumers, colleagues, business units, competitors and complementors affect behaviours and the outcomes of those entities in now receiving more attention than ever. Social network theory views social relationships in terms of nodes and ties. Nodes are the individual actors within the networks, and ties are the relationships between the actors. There can be many kinds of ties between the nodes. In its most simple form, a social network is a map of all of the relevant ties between the nodes being studied. The network can also be used to determine the social capital of individual actors. These concepts are often displayed in a social network diagram, where nodes are the points and ties are the lines.
The power of social network theory stems from its difference from traditional sociological studies, which assume that it is the attributes of individual actors whether they are friendly or unfriendly, smart or dumb, etc. that matter. Social network theory produces an alternate view, where the attributes of individuals are less important than their relationships and ties with other actors within the network. This approach has turned out to be useful for explaining many real-world phenomena, but leaves less room for individual agency, the ability for individuals to influence their success, so much of it rests within the structure of their network. Weak Ties are more likely to link members of different small groups than are strong ones, which tend to be concentrated within particular groups. Further “whatever is to be diffused, can reach a large number of people, and traverse greater social distance, when passed through weak ties rather than strong”. To summarize the idea of Granovetter’s (1973) article “Strength of Weak Ties”, where acquaintances are weak ties and our friends are strong ties. He concludes that Strong ties share the same limited information while weak ties are a source of new information and thus are more valuable.
SOCIAL NETWORKS FOR SUCCESS
Scholars assumed the resources for the personal success will be provided and the personal success is solely depend on their personal traits. But studies proved even personal success depends more on resources acquisition for a human life like finance, moral support, information, knowledge. A person who is having the right social network get all these resources through their social network. So a person need to have a sound social network in order to achieve this status.
During last two decades developmental, sociological, and psychological theorists have brought increased attention to the concept “network”. Recognizing the supportive impact relationships can provide, to develop a network of people to access for expanded knowledge, additional support, and alternative ideas. In business, businessman who doesn’t make friends are either advised to resign from dealing with neutrals and enemies or better be miles ahead of the competition. Therefore it is expected that if any enterprise has more network relations, the firm can do its business operations very smoothly with a sound resources base from its network. This clearly shows the importance of social network for a human life.
Tie Strength is an important aspect of social network, and of particular importance to persons. Tie strength simply refers to the intensity and tightness of a tie between nodes; such examples are the depth of a friendship, or frequency of interaction. It should be noted that tie strength, therefore, is not a binary on or off state, but, is a variable measurement.
Tie intensity or activity (the frequency of contact)
Tie valence (the affective, supportive, or cooperative character of the tie). Summery
Human beings seek personal success in their entire life span with reference to finance and happiness. Irrespective of religious fundamentals, management basics suggest the need of resources, money and moral support in achieving personal success. This article talks about the importance of social networks in relation to theoretical and practical perspectives.
Social Network means any type of contact with external parties that a person use to access to external resources. Through these networks people receive basically three types of resources; information, money and Moral support. Using social networks in a strategic manner is a must for developing personal success.