Title :
The Utility of Communication Network Ties: Reconceptualizing the Social Network Tie Measure
Author :
Rosen, Devan ; Chu, Kar-Hai
Abstract :
Tie measurement is an analytic foundation of social network analysis, and has been most commonly measured in regards to the strength of the tie. The strong tie - weak tie dichotomy is conceptually misleading, and the science of networks lacks a clear conceptualization of ties that allows for consistent operationalization of the concept. This conceptual gap has led researchers to measure ties in a contextually specific manner, often unique to their particular research design. This paper offers a reconceptualization of the tie concept as the utility of a tie, and provides a multi-dimensional taxonomy of social network ties that can be used to assess appropriate tie measures. Conceptual dimensions include socio-emotional closeness, resource potential, and accessibility. The taxonomy allows researchers to fit their specific operational needs within a common conceptual framework of tie measures. Visual representations are offered elaborating and exploring the implications of the proposed reconceptualization.
Keywords :
social networking (online); communication network ties; resource potential; social network tie measure; socio-emotional closeness; weak tie dichotomy; Communities; Facebook; Frequency measurement; Pollution measurement; Taxonomy; Visualization;
Conference_Titel :
System Sciences (HICSS), 2011 44th Hawaii International Conference on
Conference_Location :
Kauai, HI
Print_ISBN :
978-1-4244-9618-1
DOI :
10.1109/HICSS.2011.437