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Knitting the tie that binds - a brief introduction to Strategic Proactive
Networking (SPANning)
"NO man is an island unto himself". Thoughts are gathered and distributed
when people communicate. Those who are better connected (networked) are better able to
gather and distribute thoughts.
![bullet](_themes/nature/nabull1.gif) | Networking is the process of increasing your number of connections |
![bullet](_themes/nature/nabull1.gif) | Proactive Networking means seeking/arranging opportunities to network |
![bullet](_themes/nature/nabull1.gif) | Strategic Proactive Networking involves deliberately targeting key individuals or
groups |
Social Network Analysis is an academic discipline with its own jargon. You may find
the following synopsis useful when describing your present, and setting targets for your
future, level of SPANning.
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Knitting the tie that Binds
People in a network have relations. These allow for sharing and
exchange of content (a) tangibles (eg goods, services, information) and (b) intangibles
(eg social support and influence).
A tie is formed when two people are connected by one or more
relations. Ties can be weak or strong and both levels of strength have their uses:
Weak Ties are infrequent and involve
only limited sharing. It is thus easy to have many of them, especially through e-mail. |
Strong Ties are frequent and involve
several different types of relations. They need close contact and time to maintain. |
Their strength lies in acting as gateways to new sources of
connection. They lend themselves to innovativeness. |
Their strength lies in building solidarity but this can lead
to a strong attachment to tradition and thus a lack of flexibility. |
Binding of networks may be tight or
loose with reference to borders of geography, theme, hierarchy, status,
organisational boundary etc |
Knitting of networks may be sparse
or dense depending on the strength of ties between individuals and on the number of
ties between different members of the network |
Ties can also have direction eg give/receive support,
ask/answer questions, buy/sell commodities etc
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Unravelling Networks
Ego-centred studies map the relations of a key individual. This is
most appropriate for loose-bound networks. Whole Network Studies map
the relations between units of an organisation. This is most appropriate for tight-bound
networks. Networks can be described in terms of:
Range The network may
be small with a single, limited purpose or it may be large and multipurpose. |
Groups are there densely-knit
sub units within the network as a whole (Social Inclusion?) |
Centrality Does the
network have a centre and a periphery or are relations evenly distributed throughout?
Would the network collapse if a particular group or individual withdrew? |
Positional Analysis never
mind the formal status and hierarchy, which individuals and groups are in fact performing
which roles? |
Role What purpose does
the network as a whole , or units within it, play eg information dissemination, training,
timetabling/scheduling, lobbying, etc |
Networks of Networks People
link groups and groups can link people. Friends of friends of friends. How much of this is
going on? |
Try using the jargon to describe your present, and set targets for your
future, level of SPANning.
![](_themes/nature/narule.gif)
Based loosely on Garton L et al (1997) Studying Online Social Networks
www.ascusc.org/jcmc/vol3/issue1/garton.html
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