Social Networks: Acquiring Information, Exchanging Ideas - Research Paper

Introduction

Social networks are social relationships between two or more people (known as nodes) who have developed some kind of tie with each other (Wasserman and Faust 1994). "The social network perspective focuses on relationships among social entities; 1 example include communications among members of a group, economic transactions between corporations, and 2 trade or treaties among nations" (Wasserman and Faust 1994, p. i). People use social networks to acquire new information, exchange information, find jobs, learn about new opportunities, and exchange new ideas, among other purposes. Individuals can acquire social ties in several social settings such as jobs, social organizations, religious organizations, political organizations, sports groups, a group of friends, and so on. Wasserman and Faust (1994, p. 4) argue that the social network perspective should take into account the following:

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• Actors and their actions are viewed as interdependent rather than independent, autonomous units.
• Relational ties (linkages) between actors are channels for transfer or "flow" of resources (either material or nonmaterial).
• Network models focusing on individuals view the network structural environment as providing opportunities for or constraints on individual action.
• Network models conceptualize structure (social, economic, political, and so forth) as lasting patterns of relations among actors.

In general, social networks are seen as providing individuals or larger groups or social entities with positive outcomes as a result of the information and social support the individuals who belong to a specific social network receive. Those who belong to a social network enjoy the advantages of social capital. The concept of social capital (Loury 1977; Bourdieu 1986; Coleman 1988) has been used to account for the advantages that network members accrue as a result of their inclusion.

According to the organizational literature, the position of the actors in a network or the network structure in which those ties are embedded would in most cases dictate the extent to which belonging to a social network can provide individuals with new information and opportunities that can help them perform better in society or facilitate their upward socioeconomic mobility. For example, central actors can influence how information gets distributed to other members in the network, referred to as network centrality (Wasserman and Faust 1994). Also, a key actor could control the information that flows between two independent groups, a situation known in the organizational literature as structural holes (Burt 2001). Also, network homogeneity or structural equivalence (if ties are similar), or network heterogeneity (if ties are different), can influence the kinds of advantages or disadvantages network members might experience as a result of their membership in the network (Wasserman and Faust 1994).

Besides the structure and/or the position in the network, tie strength could also dictate the network's effectiveness. Mark Granovetter, first in his work The Strength of Weak Ties and later on in his book Getting a Job, revolutionized the organizational literature by introducing the concept of the "strength of weak ties" (Granovetter 1973,

1995). He argues that belonging to an open network and having access to weak ties (or acquaintances) can provide individuals with new valuable information that can help them get better jobs. Even though one might not have a strong relationship with those individuals, they can share new knowledge and important information that otherwise would not be available in a closed network with mostly strong ties. Those who belong to closed networks with mostly strong ties are considered to be at a disadvantage given the limited amount of information shared by the members of such networks. Studies on racial segregation (Massey and Denton 1993) have suggested that members of closed networks or cliques have less chance to learn about new important information and that the information that flows in those networks tends to be redundant and inefficient.

Benefits of Effective Communication Technology in The It Department

As the art of communication plays an increasingly important role in every aspect of the business, the IT team must make sure it is keeping pace with evolving technology and infrastructure. Doing so ensures that it can reap the myriad rewards that effective communication offers.

Here's a quick breakdown of the main benefits:

• Communication is the lifeblood of an organization and the foundation of its success. But it's something that's lacking in too many departments. However, effective communication solutions are more crucial than ever in our current socio-economic climate.
• As the art of communication plays an increasingly important role in every aspect of a business, the IT team must make sure it is keeping pace with evolving technology and infrastructure. Doing so ensures that it can reap the myriad rewards that effective communication offers. Here's a quick breakdown of the main benefits:

Effective Communication Facilitates Innovation

Everyone develops and maintains productive relationships with others based on positive encounters that happen when effective communication solutions are in place. Employees and their managers are no different. When staff feels like they can openly share ideas at work, innovation and cooperation follow. However, if communication technology is outdated, creativity and collaboration may be stunted - and the whole business suffers.

It Helps Prepare and Execute Plans

Any kind of planning requires a wide spread of information and input to be gathered from a variety of sources and stakeholders. Without effective communication solutions, many projects and strategies never move past the planning stage. Clear communication strategies and quick, efficient communication channels are critical for the smooth preparation, circulation, and execution of all business plans.

The Actual Cost of Communication Technology

The setup and costs for operating modern PBX systems are significantly less than the more conventional phone system. As these communication solutions work off an Internet connection, there is no requirement for a regular telephone line. This means that you only need to deal with one account, for Internet and phone. Besides, the only thing you pay for is Internet charges. Calls from PC to PC over an Internet connection are free, and calls from PC to landline usually include a cost factor, but this rate is significantly less than with a traditional phone line.

Good Communication Builds an Efficient Relationship

When using communication technology, you can discover and convey information to your employees or customers anywhere. If you need to contact your offsite employees, you can SMS or email their smartphone or tablet instead of waiting for them to return to the office. Furthermore, you can be in constant contact with your clients and give them real-time information on the status of an appointment and can immediately communicate your needs if there are any.

Communication Channels

A communication channel is a type of media that is used to transfer a message from one person to another. In business specifically, communication channels are the way information flows in the organization within, and with other companies.

Importance of a Communication Channel

Communication channels affect how inefficient or efficient the flow of information is within a company. This lack of communication could cause employees to lack the knowledge of what the company expects of them, leaving them uninformed. Also, without an effective communication channel, employees lose focus on the big picture and lose their company mind, which goes on to affects their decision making and productivity in the workplace.

This harms the overall organizational objectives as well. For an organization to be run effectively, a good manager should be able to communicate to their employees what is expected of them, make sure they are fully aware of company policies and any upcoming changes. Communication channels should be included by managers to enhance the productivity of their workers and to also ensure the wellbeing and smooth running of their company.

Types of Communication

With technology advancing, the number of communication channels has significantly increased over the past few years. Many new types of channels exist today including 1. video conferencing, 2. mobile technology, 3. electronic bulletin boards and also 4. fax machines. As time progresses so many more channels will be introduced and implemented within the workplace. These new types of channels help organizations communicate with several workers to ensure their message has been sent. Choosing the type of communication channel is very important, these channels are grouped into three main categories: formal, informal and unofficial.

Formal Communication Channels

• Sends information including goals, policies, and procedures of an organization
• Messages follow a chain of command
• Flows from managers to their subordinates
• Examples include business plan, customer satisfaction survey, annual reports, employer's manual, review meetings.

Informal Communication Channels

The strict hierarchical web of communication cannot function efficiently on its own and hence there exists a different communication channel.

This type of communication channel may disrupt the chain of command, a good manager needs to find the fine balance between the formal and informal communication channel to ensure the best type of communication.

Examples include lunchtime gathering, water cooler talk, etc.

Quality circles, teamwork, different training programs are outside of the chain of command are also informal communication channels.

Unofficial Communication Channels

Sometimes communication that takes place in an organization is interpersonal.

Talks of sports, politics and TV shows are seen between co-workers.

The unofficial communication channel in a company is the company's 'grapevine.' It is this that cause rumors.

'Grapevine' discussions often form groups, which translate into friendships outside of the organization.

Works Cited

Men, Linjuan Rita. "Strategic internal communication: Transformational leadership, communication channels, and employee satisfaction." Management Communication Quarterly 28.2 (2014): 264-284.

Johnston, Maximilian J., et al. "Smartphones let surgeons know WhatsApp: an analysis of communication in emergency surgical teams." The American Journal of Surgery 209.1 (2015): 45-51.

Greenspan, Daniel Z., Benjamin L. Wiggins, and Steven M. Goodreau. "Understanding classrooms through social network analysis: A primer for social network analysis in education research." CBE-Life Sciences Education 13.2 (2014): 167-178.