Network Structure or Tie Content? The Impact of Managerial Networks on Career Outcomes and Influence

Social networks are crucial for gaining information, enhancing one´s own influence and promoting the career advancement. This paper addresses the question which network properties explain intra-organizational outcomes at work. Following the idea of Burt concerning the benefits of structural holes, I explore on the one hand the impact of structural holes on influence and career outcomes in a knowledge intensive firm. Considering the specific characteristics of knowledge intensive firms, I incorporate the importance of tie strength and professional closeness in my analysis of organizational outcomes. On the other hand, I explore the resources gained through different tie contents. The relational resources are clustered and analyzed with regard to their structural properties. Data was collected using online questionnaires in a Swiss service firm. The ego-networks of 288 managers were analyzed, using eight name-generating questions. Two effects stand out: Firstly, structural holes, strong ties and professional closeness do enhance influence and career success. Secondly, the networks can be clustered in three different groups: i) work related information, ii) strategic information or cultural norms and iii) personal support. The results show the relevance of tie content for network analysis. The consideration of the resource flow allows a better understanding of the contribution of structural properties to organizational outcomes.