scholarly journals Initial social network analysis of producers working towards sustainability suggests weak ties and potential fragmentation

2022 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-18
Author(s):  
Kathryn A. Stofer ◽  
James Fulton ◽  
Heather Nesbitt ◽  
Anna Prizzia ◽  
Karen A. Garrett ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Network ◽  
Social Network Analysis ◽  
Network Analysis ◽  
Food System ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Network Size ◽  
Sustainable Production ◽  
Systematic Research ◽  
Regional Food ◽  
The Status

For farmers to adopt and maintain sustainable farming practices, they must have the resources and network to succeed with this work and must realize a positive impact on their business model. As a food system is ultimately made up of the people, organizations, and institutions that grow, move, buy and sell food, we must understand who is at the center of this network, who is well-connected, and who is peripheral. Within a particular regional food system in a highly productive southeastern U.S. state, the network of local producers interested in sustainable production, including environmental and economic components, seems to be growing. However, it is unclear who benefits from this system and whether this system is growing in a way that encourages and enhances the benefits for sustainable agriculture. Existing evidence for the network size and its vulnerabilities has been anecdotal, from Extension agents and their contacts with individual producers, rather than based on systematic research. We used social network analysis to understand the status of the system and its constituents. Connections between producers appear to be weak overall with potential fragmentation, suggesting a fragility that could easily derail efforts to increase sustainable production in the region.  

Assessing Social Network Influences on Adult Physical Activity Using Social Network Analysis: A Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
pp. 089011712110607
Author(s):  
Tyler Prochnow ◽  
Megan S. Patterson
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Social Network Analysis ◽  
Network Analysis ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Data Extraction ◽  
Network Size ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Final Sample ◽  
Complex Picture

Objective Social network analysis (SNA) can measure social connectedness and assess impact of interpersonal connections on health behaviors, including physical activity (PA). This paper aims to systematically review adult PA studies using SNA to understand important social network concepts relative to PA. Data Source A search was performed using PsycINFO, MEDLINE, PubMed, and Web of Science. Study Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria To be included in the search, articles needed to 1) include a measure of PA, 2) conduct an SNA in which specific relationships were measured, and 3) conduct an analysis between social network measures and PA. Data Extraction Key study elements including network design and results were extracted. Data Synthesis Data were synthesized to answer 2 questions: 1) how has adult PA been investigated using SNA approaches and 2) how is an adult’s social network associated with PA behaviors? Results A final sample of 28 articles remained from an initial 11 085 articles. Network size, homophily, network composition, and network exposure to PA were all associated with individual level PA across studies. Lastly, longitudinal and intervention studies showed a more complex picture of social influence and diffusion of PA behavior. Conclusions Adults’ PA behaviors are influenced by their networks. Capitalizing on this influence, researchers should engage not just individual behavior change but also the social influences present within the person’s life.

scholarly journals Defending the status quo across venues and coalitions: evidence from California interest groups

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frédéric Varone ◽  
Karin Ingold ◽  
Charlotte Jourdain
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cell ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Social Network Analysis ◽  
Network Analysis ◽  
Interest Groups ◽  
Status Quo ◽  
Network Position ◽  
The Status ◽  
Central Network

AbstractThis study investigates the conditions under which pro-status quo groups increase their advocacy success during an entire policymaking process. It scrutinises whether pro-status quo defenders who are involved in multiple institutional venues and who join many coalitions of interest groups are able to achieve their policy preferences. A case study focussing on the regulation of stem cell research in California traces the policymaking process and the related advocacy activities of interest groups in legislative, administrative, judicial and direct democratic venues. The empirical results, which are based on a formal social network analysis, reveal that very few groups are multivenue players and members of several coalitions. In addition, occupying a central network position is insufficient for the pro-status quo groups to improve their advocacy success.

Networks in the Knowledge Economy

2003 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Social Network Analysis ◽  
Network Analysis ◽  
Organizational Performance ◽  
Knowledge Economy ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Informal Networks ◽  
Managerial Implications ◽  
Knowledge Intensive

In today's de-layered, knowledge-intensive organizations, most work of importance is heavily reliant on informal networks of employees within organizations. However, most organizations do not know how to effectively analyze this informal structure in ways that can have a positive impact on organizational performance. Networks in the Knowledge Economy is a collection of readings on the application of social network analysis to managerial concerns. Social network analysis (SNA), a set of analytic tools that can be used to map networks of relationships, allows one to conduct very powerful assessments of information sharing within a network with relatively little effort. This approach makes the invisible web of relationships between people visible, helping managers make informed decisions for improving both their own and their group's performance. Networks in the Knowledge Economy is specifically concerned with networks inside of organizations and addresses three critical areas in the study of social networks: Social Networks as Important Individual and Organizational Assets, Social Network Implications for Knowledge Creation and Sharing, and Managerial Implications of Social Networks in Organizations. Professionals and students alike will find this book especially valuable, as it provides readings on the application of social network analysis that reflect managerial concerns.

Social Network Analysis for the Implementation of Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction in Iran

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Homa Yousefi Khoshsabegheh ◽  
Ali Ardalan ◽  
Amir Hossein Takian ◽  
Leila Hedayatifar ◽  
Abbas Ostadtaghizadeh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Social Network Analysis ◽  
Network Analysis ◽  
Optimization Methods ◽  
Optimization Method ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Civil Defense ◽  
Disaster Risk Management ◽  
The Status

Abstract Background: Over recent years, the exposure of people and assets to disasters has been faster than reducing vulnerability in all countries. As a result, new risks have been formed and losses due to disaster are progressively increasing. Suffering from significant losses in the aftermath of disasters every year, Iran is no exception. Governmental and non-governmental stakeholders are jointly responsible for managing the risks of disasters. Hence, appropriate, collaborative and timely interactions of involved organizations will play an important role in their operation, especially during disasters. Methods: In this study, we used the Social Network Analysis (SNA) to analyze the network of stakeholders in disaster risk management in Iran. Our review of literature, laws, and regulations of disaster risk management plus brainstorming identified a list of 85 stakeholders. We used the Delphi method among purposefully selected experts to score the relationship between the stakeholders. We then used the modularity optimization method to identify groups with greater interaction. Organizations with key-roles in the network and the ones in need of stronger relationships were identified through centrality measurements. Results: The density of this network was 0.75, which represented that not all the stakeholders were connected. Among all organizations identified, the National Disaster Management Organization and Civil Defense Organization showed higher influences considering their responsibilities. Conclusion: To provide a visual and tangible picture of the status and interrelationships among the stakeholders, this method identified groups with better interaction using community/cluster detection and modularity optimization methods. Understanding the current structure of the network and strengths and weaknesses of the interactions among stakeholders may help improve disaster risk management in Iran. Results of this research determine the role and importance of different organizations, their weakness, and strong points. Also, results help them to plan to strengthen their roles and solve their problems.

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