scholarly journals Protest engagement: weak vs strong social ties

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 (3) ◽  
pp. 23-33
Author(s):  
Ruslana Moskotina
Keyword(s):  
Social Ties ◽  
Threshold Model ◽  
Computer Experiments ◽  
Weak Ties ◽  
Sociological Study ◽  
Strong Ties ◽  
Agent Based ◽  
Agent Based Modelling ◽  
Strength Of Weak Ties ◽  
The One

This article dwells upon the importance of finding methods and ways of studying protest behaviour that can explain its emergence. Protest behaviour is considered as the result of protest engagement. It is assumed that there are social ties between individuals, potential protesters. M. Granovetter proposes to distinguish strong ties and weak ties. Strong ties tend to form closed and cohesive groups but weak ties can be the bridges that match groups and/or individuals. The author of this article conducts a research with applying a method of agent-based modelling. Its aim is to test the Granovetter’s thesis about the strength of weak ties towards protest behaviour. In this research the linear threshold model is used. Our research with applying method of the agent-based modelling includes the computer experiments (simulations) with the social networks. There are generated five networks, three of which contain only strong ties and the rest of the networks contain only weak ties. Simulations with the networks allow us to determine the number of inactive agents that are involved in the protest, the speed of the protest engagement and the effectiveness of overcoming the resistance of inactive agents. It is found that both weak ties and strong ties can determine protest behaviour. Strong ties contribute to a quicker protest engagement. Weak ties can better overcome the resistance of inactive agents. At the same time weak ties slow down the process of the protest engagement and strong ties are generally less effective in overcoming the resistance of inactive agents. Agent-based modelling helps us to conduct the fundamental research. On the one hand we test Granovetter’s thesis about the strength of weak ties towards protest behaviour. On the other hand we cannot draw conclusions about protest behaviour in Ukraine. But we can conduct an empirical sociological study in order to test the results of our research and understand its relevance towards protest behaviour in Ukraine.

Managing everyday communication with strong, weak, and latent ties via WeChat: Availability, visibility, and reciprocal engagement

2021 ◽  
pp. 205015792098232
Author(s):  
Fiona Huijie Zeng Skovhøj
Keyword(s):  
Social Relations ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Social Ties ◽  
Communication Strategies ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Mobile Payment ◽  
Weak Ties ◽  
Interview Method ◽  
Strength Of Weak Ties ◽  
Everyday Communication

This article examines how people utilize WeChat, the most popular multi-purpose mobile app in China, to manage their everyday communication with different social ties. Since Granovetter popularized the idea of social ties by noting the strength of weak ties, a long list of studies has extended social ties theory by following the quantification tradition, for instance, quantitatively examining the different functionalities of strong and weak ties. However, many aspects of social ties cannot be easily quantified. In this vein, this study, being a qualitative network analysis, offers a communicative conception and categorization of social ties. It is based on data from 39 distinctive Chinese respondents, collected through an interview-diary-interview method. WeChat, being more than a social media app, affords new technologies (e.g., mobile payment and virtual red packets), enabling users to manage and maintain their social networks in new and alternative ways. The empirical findings suggest that Chinese respondents differentiate between strong, weak, and latent ties, and they articulate three communication strategies: managing availability, managing visibility, and managing reciprocal engagement. Based on the empirical evidence, this article discusses further implications with reference to the concepts of imagined audiences and commercialization of social relations. Moreover, this study contributes to social ties theory by providing empirical insights into its cultural specifications in the context of China, such as the emphasis on the principle of reciprocity in guanxi culture.

scholarly journals Weak and strong ties and its connection to experts' problem-solving styles in scaffolding students' PBL activities on social media

F1000Research ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 1076
Author(s):  
Aznur Hajar Abdullah ◽  
Tse Kian Neo ◽  
Jing Hong Low
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Problem Solving ◽  
Weak Ties ◽  
Learning Needs ◽  
Strong Ties ◽  
Personal Learning ◽  
Strength Of Weak Ties ◽  
Qualitative Data Analysis Software ◽  
Management Students ◽  
Prior Relationship

Background: Studies have acknowledged that social media enables students to connect with and learn from experts from different ties available in the students’ personal learning environment (PLE). Incorporating experts into formal learning activities such as scaffolding problem-solving tasks through social media, allows students to understand how experts solve real-world problems. However, studies that evaluate experts’ problem-solving styles on social media in relation to the tie strength of the experts with the students are scarce in the extant literature. This study aimed to explore the problem-solving styles that the experts portrayed based on their ties with the students in problem-based learning (PBL) on Facebook. Methods: This study employed a simultaneous within-subject experimental design which was conducted in three closed Facebook groups with 12 final year management students, six business experts, and one instructor as the participants. The experts were invited by the students from the weak and strong ties in their PLE. Hinging on the Strength of Weak Ties Theory (Granovetter, 1973) and problem-solving styles (Selby et al., 2004), this study employed thematic analysis using the ATLAS.ti qualitative data analysis software to map the experts’ comments on Facebook. Results:  The experts from strong and weak ties who had a prior relationship with the students showed people preference style by being more sensitive to the students' learning needs and demonstrating firmer scaffolding compared to the weak ties' experts who had no prior relationship with the students. Regardless of the types of ties, all experts applied all manner of processing information and orientation to change but the degree of its applications are correlated with the working experience of the experts. Conclusion: The use of weak or strong ties benefited the students as it expedited their problem-solving tasks since the experts have unique expertise to offer depending on the problem-solving styles that they exhibited.

Frameworks for Studying Information Behaviour: A Unit Theory Specification of Granovetter's Strength of Weak Ties

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen E. Pettigrew
Keyword(s):  
Social Network ◽  
Weak Ties ◽  
Strong Ties ◽  
Information Behaviour ◽  
New Information ◽  
Strength Of Weak Ties ◽  
The Individual

Granovetter's theory of the "strength of weak ties" (SWT) posits that an individual's social network is comprised of weak and strong ties, but that it is through weak ties that new information and resources are received since strong ties usually possess the same information as the individual. This paper explains how SWT can be specified as a unit theory from its metatheoretical form. . .

A Theory of Strong Ties, Weak Ties, and Activity Behavior: Leisure Activity Variety and Frequency

2017 ◽  
Vol 2665 (1) ◽  
pp. 30-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Maness
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Ties ◽  
Leisure Activity ◽  
The United States ◽  
Weak Ties ◽  
Strong Ties ◽  
Activity Behavior ◽  
Two Step Estimation

A social network and personal social capital perspective has recently been applied in studies of travel and activity behavior. In this paper, a theory of activity behavior was developed inductively from sociological principles about social capital and the creation of social networks. This theory focused on the quantity of strong social ties and the diversity of weak social ties to describe differences in leisure activity variety and frequency. The theory was applied to a case study on participation in leisure activity in the United States with data from the Personal Networks and Community Survey. The size of the respondents’ core networks and the diversity of their contacts were found to be correlated positively with the variety and frequency of their activities. In addition, endogeneity because of correlations between network diversity and social personalities was accounted for with a two-step estimation procedure. The results showed that inclusion of a count of strong ties and the diversity of weak ties significantly increased the model fit and supported the theory’s hypothesis. The results also showed the biases that could be exhibited in analyses that ignored the effects of social networks. The inclusion of social networks helped to account for additional heterogeneity in socioeconomic groups (race, income, marital status, and education) in this case study.

scholarly journals The Functionality of Dissimilarity: Pro-Environmental Behavior through Heterogenous Networks

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 221
Author(s):  
Robbe Geerts ◽  
Frédéric Vandermoere ◽  
Stijn Oosterlynck
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Heterogeneous Network ◽  
Social Ties ◽  
Environmental Behavior ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Weak Ties ◽  
Social Expectations ◽  
Strength Of Weak Ties ◽  
Using Data ◽  
The Relationship

This study explores whether social interaction with dissimilar others can lead to pro-environmental behavior. Dissimilar others are people who differ from the person in question (e.g., in terms of lifestyle or culture). While most research focuses on homogenous social networks (e.g., spatial communities), we explore the potential of network heterophily. Specifically, using data (n = 1370) from the Flemish Survey on Sociocultural Shifts, we examine the relationship between network heterophily and pro-environmental behavior (i.e., shopping decisions and curtailment behavior). Building on Granovetter’s study on ‘the strength of weak ties’, we emphasize the importance of social ties that provide novel information and social expectations. Through interaction with dissimilar others, people may create a heterogeneous network in which a diversity of information and social expectations with regard to pro-environmental behavior circulates. We expect that network heterophily may foster pro-environmental behavior. Our findings indicate that pro-environmental behavior may indeed be positively related to interaction with dissimilar others, partly because people with many dissimilar ties know more about environmental problems and are more concerned about them. This study therefore shows that network heterophily promotes pro-environmental behavior. The paper concludes with a discussion of the functionality of dissimilarity and some avenues for future research.

Weak Ties, Information, and Influence: How Workers Find Jobs in a Local Russian Labor Market

2005 ◽  
Vol 70 (3) ◽  
pp. 408-421 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valery Yakubovich
Keyword(s):  
Labor Market ◽  
Conditional Logistic Regression ◽  
Labor Market Outcomes ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Weak Ties ◽  
Market Outcomes ◽  
Strong Ties ◽  
Timely Access ◽  
Strength Of Weak Ties ◽  
The Relationship

In 1973 Granovetter formulated the strength-of-weak-ties hypothesis (SWT), which became the foundation of a vast sociological literature on social networks in labor markets. Until now, SWT has never been directly tested but treated instead as a surrogate for the relationship between an actor's network and labor market outcomes such as characteristics of a job obtained. The paper restates SWT as a proposition about the probability of getting a job as a function of within-actor differences in tie strength and tests it with data on hires carried out in one Russian city in 1998. In support of SWT, the results show that a worker is more likely to get a job through one of her weak ties rather than strong ties. The advantages of weak ties lie in their abilities to provide timely access to non-redundant information and to influence employers directly. In contrast, strong ties are associated with indirect influence on employers through well-connected intermediaries. The estimates come from a within-worker fixed-effect conditional logistic regression and thereby provide rare evidence of an association between information and influence transferred through social ties and labor market outcomes, independent of workers' individual characteristics.

scholarly journals Modelling COVID-19 epidemic and its social consequences

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 18-27
Author(s):  
Olena Pugachova
Keyword(s):  
Social Learning ◽  
Computer Experiments ◽  
Social Consequences ◽  
Economic Consequences ◽  
Agent Based Models ◽  
Agent Based ◽  
Agent Based Modelling ◽  
Social Patterns ◽  
The Impact

The paper studies different approaches to modelling COVID-19 transmission. It is emphasized that the variety of models proposed for forecasting the dynamics of epidemic and its long-term socio-economic consequences deals with the complexity of the object under investigation. So the multiplicity of models makes it possible to describe different aspects of complex reality. It is also highlighted that agent-based simulation is more suitable for modelling social aspects of the processes (human behaviour, social interactions, collective behaviour, and opinion diffusion) in the situation of deep uncertainty.The computer experiments with the parameters of the model are analysed on the basis of a number of agent-based models in NetLogo, namely epiDEM and ASSOCC. It is demonstrated that the dynamics of COVID-19 has different scenarios, and agent-based modelling is a powerful tool in political decisionmaking, taking into account social complexity that often exhibits unpredictable output of intervention policy. The role of agent-based modelling in social learning is also discussed. It is pointed out that social learning can reduce the impact of unsubstantiated statements and rumors that are not always adequate to the situation. It is also stressed that social learning could influence social behaviour that, in turn, facilitates the development of social patterns that reduces the likelihood of disease spreading. Attention is paid to the idea that involving people into the modelling process is a part of effective anti-epidemic policy because of the sensitivity of the output of political intervention to the behavioural reaction. It has been shown that today the ideas of agent-based modelling are widely used by social scientists worldwide. The aim of this endeavour is not only to overcome the current pandemic and its long-term socioeconomic consequences but also to prepare for new challenges in the future. The paper is also aimed at paying attention to the lack of agent-based models in Ukraine that could help policy-makers in developing practical recommendations and avoiding undesirable scenarios.

TYING STRONG TIES IN INFORMAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP: A CONSTRAINT OR AN ENTREPRENEURIAL DRIVER?

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (01) ◽  
pp. 1850002 ◽  
Author(s):  
CRISTIAN E VILLANUEVA ◽  
ADRIANELA ANGELES ◽  
LUZ CECILIA REVILLA
Keyword(s):  
Positive Impact ◽  
Social Performance ◽  
Qualitative Approach ◽  
Entrepreneurial Activity ◽  
Weak Ties ◽  
Economic Sector ◽  
Strong Ties ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Strength Of Weak Ties ◽  
Informal Entrepreneurship

Informal entrepreneurship is a persistent and extensive phenomenon in both developed and developing countries and considerable efforts have been made to understand it from an ecosystem perspective. Nevertheless, literature that analyzes networks within and among individuals in the informal economic sector has received less attention. This study presents an interesting extension of Granovetter's “strength of weak ties” hypothesis. Until now, strong ties are perceived to be constraining and less beneficial than weak ties for the entrepreneurial activity. However, this paper critically examines this assumption in the context of informal entrepreneurship to explore in detail this networking dynamic and how it affects their financial and social performance. A qualitative approach using 50 face-to-face interviews in Mexico was conducted. Our findings demonstrate that strong ties provide the resources, support and information informal entrepreneurs need to reduce their adversity and vulnerable conditions, having a positive impact on their financial and social outcomes.

scholarly journals The Strength of Weak Ties Revisited: Further Evidence of the Role of Strong Ties in the Provision of Online Social Support

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 205630512110249
Author(s):  
Nicole C. Krämer ◽  
Vera Sauer ◽  
Nicole Ellison
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Social Network Sites ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
Weak Ties ◽  
Informational Support ◽  
Strong Ties ◽  
Online Social Support ◽  
Received Social Support ◽  
Strength Of Weak Ties

In this work, we challenge the assumption that weak ties play uniquely important social support roles on social network sites, particularly regarding informational support. To overcome methodological limitations of earlier research, we present a mixed-methods study. Forty-one participants were interviewed and asked to identify five weak, medium, and strong ties each and to report on perceived and actually received social support (emotional, informational, instrumental, and appraisal) associated with each. Complicating traditional understandings of “the strength of weak ties,” the qualitative analyses of actual support events show that both emotional and informational support is provided by strong ties. In an additional quantitative between-subjects study design, 352 participants were asked about various aspects of a weak, medium, or strong tie. These results indicate that participants valued their strong ties more regarding every form of support. Although there were only weak correlations between perceived and recalled actually received support, people also report actual support events with strong ties to be more helpful—overall suggesting the strength of strong ties.

THE ROLE OF LEADERSHIP AND SOCIAL TIES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF HUMAN CAPITAL

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 139-147
Author(s):  
M.N. Makarova ◽  
A.K. Lebedeva
Keyword(s):  
Human Capital ◽  
Social Relations ◽  
Social Transformation ◽  
Social Ties ◽  
Weak Ties ◽  
Peer Leadership ◽  
Strength Of Weak Ties ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Transformation Leadership

The sociological aspects of studying human capital, leadership and social ties, are considered in this article. Sociological theories of human capital consider it in its connection with social capital that can be defined as an engagement in social relations, units and networks giving one some benefits. Social ties are the resource of development of human capital. The article shows that human capital can be evaluated from sociological perspective through the role of a creative class and new forms of ties that constitute integration on the intergroup level (weak ties). Such forms of communication significantly expand the sphere of opportunities for human development. The leadership acquires new functions of building nodes of networks that establish and develop social ties on different levels, and contribute to social transformation. Leadership networks demonstrate strength of weak ties that allows leaders to reach their goals through collaboration and sharing information with their own kind and to broad the scope of their activity. There are four types of leadership networks: peer leadership networks, organizational leadership networks, field-policy leadership networks, and collective leadership networks. Study of the leadership networks helps to research forms of communications, factors influencing their intensity, trust among the network’s actors etc. Analysis of the leadership networks includes such objectives as definition of network structure; their dynamics; evaluating ways of communications, and impacts of changes that occur as the result of their activity. Network analysis allows finding out the core and peripheral agents of network, and strong and weak ties between them.

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