Authors: Doina Olaru; Sharon Purchase
The network concept is a powerful metaphor in human thought, its essence being the faculty to show the idea of connection between entities in space, a space with an enlarged meaning (social, informational, ecological, etc.). A common theme running through all academic disciplines is the importance of network concepts and an examination of how to maximize opportunities, flows etc in which the network is embedded. Each discipline examines the network from their different perspectives, but each considers network position an important research topic for examination. Another common theme related to network position is that of network structure. Network structure examines how the nodes/entities/actors are linked and from this research stream concepts such as clustering (Newman 2002), centrality (Freeman 1979), density (Scott 1991), and connectivity length (Marchiroi & Latora 2000). This paper examines the concept of centrality within a business network, and will discuss distribution of centrality as an important aspect of network strategy. The paper uses the mathematical models of connectivity and accessibility/centrality developed within transportation networks to study business networks and relationships. This study draws on the empirical work on engineering networks in Australia and uses these findings for simulating network of relationships in a B2B environment. Data was collected on the relationships developed within an engineering services network. Collected data pertains to network relationships that are divided into three components: actor bonds, activity links and resource ties. The paper ends with a discussion on how the model developed can be used by managers to assess their network positions and possible avenues in which they can improve their network position. Discussion also includes how the model can be further improved to increase both its functionality and effectiveness.
Journal: ( – )
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Publish Year: 2003
Conference: Lugano, Switzerland (2003)