roles in networks
DESCRIPTION
This short set of slides summarizes the characteristics of people who play specific roles in networks. In a social network analysis, people in these roles can be discovered by running mathematical algorithms through the social graphs. But you don't need to be an algorithm to spot some of these people in your networks!TRANSCRIPT
![Page 1: Roles In Networks](https://reader033.vdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022061112/5456b4aeb1af9f33608b4bc7/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
www.PattiAnklam.com
Produced for The Community Roundtable from an upcoming on-line self-paced course, Introduction to Social Network Analysis
-- Patti Anklam, Net Work
Network Roles
![Page 2: Roles In Networks](https://reader033.vdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022061112/5456b4aeb1af9f33608b4bc7/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
in Partnership with, and Copyright © 2010 by Net Work 2
Roles
http://www.speakeasystage.com/_photos/piazza_hi_9.jpg
![Page 3: Roles In Networks](https://reader033.vdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022061112/5456b4aeb1af9f33608b4bc7/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
in Partnership with, and Copyright © 2010 by Net Work
Roles in Networks
Role Function of the Role Formal Term
Connector Connects people who are in two different groups
Liaison
Gatekeeper Buffer between their group and other groups – influences what information comes into the group
Gatekeeper
Broadcaster Conveys information from the group to the outside.
Representative
Coordinator Connects people within the same group Coordinator
Peripheral specialist
Provides expertise that is important to the group as needed. Connected to very few people.
Pendant. (Connected to the network by only one person.)
Lurker Potential broadcaster Isolate
![Page 4: Roles In Networks](https://reader033.vdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022061112/5456b4aeb1af9f33608b4bc7/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
in Partnership with, and Copyright © 2010 by Net Work
A View of the Roles: Broadcasters*B, C, and I share (broadcast) information outside their groups
*aka Representatives
![Page 5: Roles In Networks](https://reader033.vdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022061112/5456b4aeb1af9f33608b4bc7/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
in Partnership with, and Copyright © 2010 by Net Work
A View of the Roles: ConnectorC is connecting (is a liaison to) two other groups
![Page 6: Roles In Networks](https://reader033.vdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022061112/5456b4aeb1af9f33608b4bc7/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
in Partnership with, and Copyright © 2010 by Net Work
A View of the Roles: GatekeepersC and E control the flow of information into their groups
![Page 7: Roles In Networks](https://reader033.vdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022061112/5456b4aeb1af9f33608b4bc7/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
in Partnership with, and Copyright © 2010 by Net Work
A View of the Roles: CoordinatorsD, E, and J move information around in their groups
![Page 8: Roles In Networks](https://reader033.vdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022061112/5456b4aeb1af9f33608b4bc7/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
in Partnership with, and Copyright © 2010 by Net Work
A View of the Roles: Peripheral SpecialistsNodes that have very few connections to any group
![Page 9: Roles In Networks](https://reader033.vdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022061112/5456b4aeb1af9f33608b4bc7/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
in Partnership with, and Copyright © 2010 by Net Work
Structural Holes
• A structural hole exists when a single node connects two groups
• These are potentially very powerful positions
• In many cases, the structural hole’s ties outside its own network may be weak ties
A unique and potentially powerful position
![Page 10: Roles In Networks](https://reader033.vdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022061112/5456b4aeb1af9f33608b4bc7/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
in Partnership with, and Copyright © 2010 by Net Work
Lurkers
• Weakly connected to the network
• Usually on the periphery
• May infrequent play the role of peripheral specialist
• Absorb more than they share
• But may move information to other networks
May be more important than you think