Provan et al (2007) - Interorganizational networks at the network level

Question 1

What is a dyad

Answer 1

a relationship between two organizations

Question 2

What are structural issues used for

Answer 2

to explain a network and network outcome on an organizational or egocentric level.

Question 3

What are the six different structural issues?

Answer 3

1. In-degree and out-degree centrality
2. Closeness centrality
3. Betweennes centrality
4. Multiplexity
5. Broker relationships
6. Cliques

Question 4

What is in-degree and out-degree?

Answer 4

Calculation of in-degree and out-degree centrality is based on the extent to which assets (resources,
information, clients) are coming into an organization from others in the network versus those being sent
out.

Question 5

What is closeness centrality?

Answer 5

is an organization in a structural position to spread assets, even through indirect ties? Central organizations have short paths/connections. Closeness centrality is calculated by considering the shortest path between organizations.

Question 6

What is betweennes centrality?

Answer 6

Betweenness centrality is calculated by considering the extent to which an individual’s position in the network lies between the position of other individuals

Question 7

What is multiplexity?

Answer 7

the strength of the relationship an organization has with network partners, based on the
number of types of links. Multiplex ties are an indicator of the strength and durability of an organization’s
links.

Question 8

What are Broker relationships?

Answer 8

Organizations that span structural holes are called “brokers”.

Question 9

What are cliques?

Answer 9

clusters of three or more organizations connected to one another

Question 10

What are the five structure indicators of a network?

Answer 10

1. Density
2. Fragmentation and structural holes
3. Governance
4. Centralization
5. Cliques

Question 11

Eplain the density of the network

Answer 11

Overall level of connectedness among organizations in the network

Question 12

Explain fragmentation and structural holes

Answer 12

Are most network members connected or is the network broken into fragments. Fragmented networks can have unconnected connections which means that there are structural holes.

Question 13

Explain governance of the network

Answer 13

the mechanism to manage the overall network

Question 14

Explain centralization of the network

Answer 14

some organizations in the network considerably more centrally connected than others? Highly centralized networks are more organized in a hub-and-spoke pattern

Question 15

Explain cliques as a structure indicator

Answer 15

How many cliques exist? Which type of organizations are involved? How large are the cliques

Question 16

What are the two analytical perspectives of a network

Answer 16

1. Structure perspective

2. Performance perspective

Question 17

What are the three components of the structure perspective

Answer 17

1. Network structure
2. Network development
3. Network governance