Boundaries in Social Structures

Relational

Positional

Clusters based on:

Cohesion

Structural similarity

Key measure:

Tie strength and density

Tie similarity

Belief sharing based on:

Interaction with similar others creates shared beliefs among the cluster members

Playing similar roles creates shared beliefs among those in the same role position

Key implication for organizational systems:

• Impact of technology on the ability to connect and communicate with others
• Impact of the technology on quality, distribution, nature etc. of existing ties
• Impact of beliefs about a system on use of technology to make connections
• Impact of existing relations on using technology for making new connections

• Impact of the technology on the function of existing social and communication roles
• Impact on the technology on the distribution and structure of existing social and communication roles
• Impact of existing beliefs on using technology to change roles
• Impact of existing beliefs on using technology to change role structures