scholarly journals The South African Banking Director Network: An Investigation Into Interlocking Directorships Using Social Network Analysis (SNA)

2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 963
Author(s):  
Burgert A. Senekal ◽  
Karlien Stemmet

The theory of complex systems has gained significant ground in recent years, and with it, complex network theory has become an essential approach to complex systems. This study follows international trends in examining the interlocking South African bank director network using social network analysis (SNA), which is shown to be a highly connected social network that has ties to many South African industries, including healthcare, mining, and education. The most highly connected directors and companies are identified, along with those that are most central to the network, and those that serve important bridging functions in facilitating network coherence. As this study is exploratory, numerous suggestions are also made for further research.

Literator ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Burgert A. Senekal

Although the film industry – like the literary system – can be described as a cultural system or field, systems theory remains largely unexplored in South African film studies, as does the more recent network theory. Systems theory and network theory both emphasise the relationships of an entity within a larger context, arguing that an entity should be studied within the relationships in which it functions. Recently, researchers have suggested that network theory can be integrated with polysystem theory to study the interactions between entities in the literary system. This article illustrates the potential of using social network analysis (SNA) as an investigative tool to identify and describe the role of an entity within the context of the film industry by focusing on one of the seminal Afrikaans film makers: Pierre de Wet. Pierre de Wet has been intricately involved with the beginnings of the Afrikaans film industry, collaborating with, amongst others, some of the most prolific film editors, producers,cinematographers and music composers. His major collaborators are highlighted as well as his central position in the Afrikaans film industry, taking into account the entire Afrikaans film industry from its origin to the contemporary period. The article also makes suggestions for further research.


Author(s):  
Diane Harris Cline

This chapter views the “Periclean Building Program” through the lens of Actor Network Theory, in order to explore the ways in which the construction of these buildings transformed Athenian society and politics in the fifth century BC. It begins by applying some Actor Network Theory concepts to the process that was involved in getting approval for the building program as described by Thucydides and Plutarch in his Life of Pericles. Actor Network Theory blends entanglement (human-material thing interdependence) with network thinking, so it allows us to reframe our views to include social networks when we think about the political debate and social tensions in Athens that arose from Pericles’s proposal to construct the Parthenon and Propylaea on the Athenian Acropolis, the Telesterion at Eleusis, the Odeon at the base of the South slope of the Acropolis, and the long wall to Peiraeus. Social Network Analysis can model the social networks, and the clusters within them, that existed in mid-fifth century Athens. By using Social Network Analysis we can then show how the construction work itself transformed a fractious city into a harmonious one through sustained, collective efforts that engaged large numbers of lower class citizens, all responding to each other’s needs in a chaine operatoire..


2011 ◽  
pp. 2206-2217
Author(s):  
Nimini Wickramasinghe ◽  
Rajeev K. Bali

In the information-intensive environment of healthcare, the networkcentric approach has been proffered as one that allows free and rapid sharing of information and effective knowledge building required for the development of coherent objectives and their rapid attainment. This article asserts that if we are to realize such a vision it is imperative to draw upon strong rich analysis tools and techniques and thus calls for the application of Social Network Analysis combined with Actor-network Theory (S’ANT).


2015 ◽  
Vol 29 (7) ◽  
pp. 819-837 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi-Hwa Liou ◽  
Alan J. Daly ◽  
Chris Brown ◽  
Miguel del Fresno

Purpose – The role of relationships in the process of leadership and change is central, yet the social aspect of the work of reform is often background in favor of more technical approaches to improvement. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to argue that social network theory and analysis provides a useful theory and set of tools to unpack the complex social work of leadership. Design/methodology/approach – In this paper the authors begin by reviewing social network theory in education to date. The authors identify strengths and gap areas and use findings and data from existing social network studies of educational leadership to highlight major concepts. Findings – Along with empirical examples, the paper proposes four important strands of social network analysis for future research in educational leadership: multiplex networks; multi-mode networks; longitudinal networks; and real time networks. Originality/value – This paper builds on recent scholarship using social network analysis in educational leadership and suggests that social network theory and methods provides unique and important analytic purchase in the study of educational leadership.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 23-34
Author(s):  
Carlo Drago ◽  
Giovanni Paolo Sellitto

In the Viable System Approach, the firm and its environment form a complex system, modelled as a network of networks. This paper explores how some tools coming from the research on Complex Networks are applicable to the firm and its environment in the context of Business Development Plan. A brief survey of the main concepts underlying the Viable System Approach (VSA) and of the very last results attained in the Complex Network Theory (CNT) is presented, focusing on the results regarding the dynamical processes on Complex Networks. Some correspondence between the main entities in the two frameworks will be derived, to highlight the possible contribution of CNT to the government and the management of the firm as a Viable System. This paper doesn't expect to be exhaustive because of the topic complexity and the still ongoing research's work. In the business case, the Social Network Analysis tools are applied into the business reengineering process.


Author(s):  
Christina Johanna van Staden

Cooperative base groups (CBGs) is a technique used in contact education to develop cooperative learning skills. However, it was assumed that the tools currently available can be used for the establishment of CBGs in distance education. For the purpose of this research, a post graduate class in distance education (N=77) was divided in 11 CBGs with 7 members each with the task to assist one another in the completion of assignments, to motivate one another to submit assignments, and to support one another on academic and personal level during the year. The results shows that CBGs provided an effective method to facilitate the establishment of reciprocal relationships and therefore the development of positive interdependence, and that social network analysis provided an effective method to evaluate the development of positive interdependence both on group and class level. Unfortunately, the technique was prematurely cancelled when the author left the university. A possible correlation between positive interdependence and academic achievement needs to be further investigated.


Author(s):  
Nilmini Wickramasinghe ◽  
Rajeev K. Bali ◽  
Steve Goldberg

The S’ANT approach (Wickramasinghe and Bali, 2009) - namely the incorporation of Actor-network Theory and Social Network Analysis as proposed by Wickramasinghe and Bali 2009 in order to support a network centric healthcare solutions is proffered in the following as an appropriately rich lens of analysis in the context of the development of a chronic disease self-management model.


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