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Social Networks in Economic Activity: Methodological Approaches to Analysis



S.A. Davydov
A.S. Panfilov
licurg@inbox.ru
as.panfilov@outlook.com
professor, the Department of Sociology and Personnel Management, St. Petersburg State University of Economics, Doctor of Sociology, associate professor
post-graduate student, the Department of Sociology and Personnel Management, St. Petersburg State University of Economics
St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg

Keywords:

  • social network
  • social connection
  • social capital
  • trust
  • incumbency
  • The study of relations between business entities using analyzing instruments developed in network theory is seen as one of promising directions of research in modern economic theory. The methodology of network analysis is based on theoretical assumptions of classic sociology and aimed at the application of method potential of microsociological research. We can’t say that the attempt we make within network theory to eliminate the methodological gap between macro and microsociology resulted in unconditional success as modern scientists lack a single interpretation of social network and demonstrate no unanimity of opinions concerning even the basic concepts describing social interaction. However, such openness of the model of seeing social processes in networks has definite internal potential for its intellectual interpretation, which resulted in certain clarity in understanding the difference between social network and social structure and in interesting and productive approaches to understanding the network in the context of such categories as hierarchy, trust, incumbency, social capital.

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