Social media treats all users the same: trusted friend or total stranger, with little or nothing in between. In reality, relationships fall everywhere along this spectrum, a topic social science has investigated for decades under the theme of tie strength. Our work bridges this gap between theory and practice. In this paper, we present a predictive model that maps social media data to tie strength. The model builds on a dataset of over 2,000 social media ties and performs quite well, distinguishing between strong and weak ties with over 85 % accuracy. We complement these quantitative findings with interviews that unpack the relationships we could not predict. The paper concludes by illustrating how modeling tie strength can improve social media design elements, including privacy controls, message routing, friend introductions and information prioritization. Author Keywords Social media, social networks, relationship modeling, ties,

In this paper, we review and analyze the emerging network paradigm in organizational research. We begin with a conventional review of recent research organized around recognized research streams. Next, we analyze this research, developing a set of dimensions along which network studies vary, including direction of causality, levels of analysis, explanatory goals, and explanatory mechanisms. We use the latter two dimensions to construct a 2-by-2 table cross-classifying studies of network consequences into four canonical types: structural social capital, social access to resources, contagion, and environmental shaping. We note the rise in popularity of studies with a greater sense of agency than was traditional in network research.

Recent research suggests that people obtain useful knowledge from others with whom they work closely and frequently (i.e., strong ties). Yet there has been limited empirical work examining why this is so. Moreover, other research suggests that weak ties provide useful knowledge. To help integrate these multiple findings, we propose and test a model of two-party (dyadic) knowledge exchange, with strong support in each of the three companies surveyed. First, the link between strong ties and receipt of useful knowledge (as reported by the knowledge seeker) was mediated by competence- and benevolence-based trust. Second, once we controlled for these two trust dimensions, the structural benefit of weak ties became visible. This latter finding is consistent with prior research suggesting that weak ties provide access to non-redundant information. Third, we found that competence-based trust was especially important for the receipt of tacit knowledge. We discuss implications for theory and practice. 2

This paper introduces the concept of netchain analysis. A netchain is a set of networks comprised of horizontal ties between firms within a particular industry or group, which are sequentially arranged based on vertical ties between firms in different layers. Netchain analysis interprets supply chain and network perspectives on inter-organizational collaboration with particular emphasis on the value creating and coordination mechanism sources. We posit that sources of value and coordination mechanisms correspond to particular and distinct types of interdependencies: pooled, sequential, and reciprocal. It is further argued that the recognition and accounting of these simultaneous interdependencies is crucial for a more advanced understanding of complex inter-organizational relations. The paper concludes with an analysis of a set of netchain configuration examples, including buyer-supplier relationships, information technology induced inter-organization collaborations, and the introduction of the “macrohierarchy” organization structure. Key words Network, supply chain, value chain, interdependence, cooperative strategy. 1 We thank the h elpful comments by two anonymous referees. All remaining errors and omissions are our own. 1.

This study explores one of the contributors to group composition—the basis on which people choose others with whom they want to work. We use a combined model to explore individual attributes, relational attributes, and previous structural ties as determinants of work partner choice. Four years of data from participants in 33 small project groups were collected, some of which reflects individual participant characteristics and some of which is social network data measuring the previous relationship between two participants. Our results suggest that when selecting future group members people are biased toward others of the same race, others who have a reputation for being competent and hard working, and others with whom they have developed strong working relationships in the past. These results suggest that people strive for predictability when choosing future work group members. � 2000 Academic Press People often play either a direct or an indirect role in choosing their work partners. In volunteer organizations, people decide which group or committee to join. Academics decide who to collaborate with on research projects. And,

Electronic ties are loosening the constraints of organizational structure and physical proximity to allow connectivity between individuals who would otherwise find it difficult to identify and sustain contact with others who share the similar interests. This paper explores the knowledge exchange processes in extra-organizational networks of practice by studying three technical newsgroups. We argue that the development of relational social capital is a vital component for transforming electronic posting forums into ongoing networks of practice. The results reveal that relational social capital exists on networks of practice and shows a strong relationship with knowledge exchange processes over and above the influence of individual motivation and ability. The concept of a community of practice is emerging as an essential building block of the knowledge economy. Communities of practice are being promoted within organizations as sources of competitive advantage and facilitators of organiza...

Members of interdependent work groups must coordinate their efforts in intricate ways, and they are more successful if they can keep aware of the state of their team, its tasks, and its environment. A major design goal for tools for distributed workgroups is to keep them apprised of important changes without distracting them from their focal tasks. In this paper we describe a system we have developed, the Awareness Monitor, designed to provide passive awareness. We discuss key features for passive awareness systems and how they are realized in our system. We also describe the underlying technology and methods used to implement and test the system in a real world environment.

Interpersonal relationships can be fragile. The mere perception of opportunistic behavior can lead to a breakdown in cooperation. Once damaged, the question then arises as to whether and how cooperation might be restored. Noncooperative game theory raises serious doubts about the possibilities, although interactional justice and impression management research have shown that verbal explanations can dampen reactions to aversive behavior. Philosophical, anthropological, and ethological research all suggest that genuine forgiveness may require something more tangible and substantive than an explanation. Thus, the current experiment investigated the effects of explanations and varying forms of substantive amends on the restoration of mutual cooperation. The results confirm that rebuilding cooperation is feasible. Apologies and simple explanations can be effective to a degree, though substantive amends have significantly more positive effects than explanations alone. In contrast to prior findings on interactional justice, acknowledgments were more effective than denials in repairing short interactions. This research demonstrates that, once breached, cooperation can be reestablished and that actions as well as explanations and apologies can augment the process in important and sometimes subtle ways. (Relationship; Talk; Forgiveness) To err is human, to forgive divine; to forget is stupid.

This paper suggests that communities are at a relative disadvantage in the emerging information society. The rules of information access and privacy that apply to governmental jurisdictions, corporations and individuals often do not recognize the real needs of communities and their members. Several definitions of community are presented, suggesting that participation and diversity of interests are essential community characteristics. Focus on communities in terms of information access and use implies that attention must be paid to the condition of our information polity, beyond that given to our information economy. Three rules, or expectations, are offered that aim toward a unified set of information access practices across all sectors of society. On this base a process of "community self-discovery" and the emergence of information sharing networks may be fostered. The paper is the result of a review of literature about the role of technology in the emerging information society, com...

We frequently think of university scientists as inventors of new technologies, which are transferred from the university to industry organizations for innovation and diffusion. Because such processes are communication and information intensive, there are high expectations that use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) can facilitate technology transfers and subsequent economic development. However, communication processes that foster scientific discovery and knowledge transfer are embedded in social networks; if ICT use influences technology transfer, it is likely to be through these networks. At the same time, ICTs will be shaped through their use in these social networks. We suggest a socio-technical perspective is best suited to study these reciprocal influences. In this paper, we outline a program of research to examine socio-technical networks in scientific academia/industry collaborations. We begin by reviewing key findings and projections about use of ICTs in know...