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Social Network Theory

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Global Encyclopedia of Public Administration, Public Policy, and Governance

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Synonym

Social capital

Definition

Structural dimensions of interpersonal or interorganizational relationships that drive the development of the social capital connected to the development and implementation of public mission and policy.

Introduction

Social network theory describes how the various dimensions comprising the content and structure of socially connected entities interact. Additionally, the various concepts within the larger realm of social network theory explain how various outcomes result from the social capital (i.e., resources emerging from relationships) generated among a body of connections. More specifically, social network theory provides very useful insights into how the creation, changes, and flow of various resources depend upon the pathways among connections, which can have positive and negative impacts. In the context of public administration, public policy, and governance, social network theory provides a useful lens for understanding key activities such as...

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References

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Political Science, California State University-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Marla A. Parker

Authors
  1. Marla A. Parker
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Marla A. Parker .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, USA

    Ali Farazmand

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Parker, M.A. (2019). Social Network Theory. In: Farazmand, A. (eds) Global Encyclopedia of Public Administration, Public Policy, and Governance. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-31816-5_2765-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-31816-5_2765-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-31816-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-31816-5

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference Economics and FinanceReference Module Humanities and Social SciencesReference Module Business, Economics and Social Sciences

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