Network theory

Network theory is an area of applied mathematics and part of graph theory. Network theory is explored by many scholars such as (Granovetter, 1973, Burt, 2009)  and (Borgatti & Halgin, 2011) and have gained renewed attention for analysing social networks on the Internet. Network theory uses graphs as a representation of symmetric or asymmetric relationships between actors. Network theory offers a structured way of conceptualising and measuring ties between actors and their impact (Borgatti & Halgin, 2011). Ties may spring from individual group members or from the group as a whole. Network theory looks at the network variables, such as how many ties are in place or the centrality of an actor (Brass, 2002).

References :

Borgatti, S. P., & Halgin, D. S. (2011), On network theory. Organization Science, 22(5), p. 1168-1181.

Brass, D. J. (2002), Social networks in organizations: Antecedents and consequences. Unpublished manuscript.

Burt, R. S. (2009), Structural holes: The social structure of competition: Harvard University Press.

Granovetter, M. S. (1973), The strength of weak ties. American journal of sociology, p. 1360-1380.