A network perspective on organizational and management questions continues
to appeal to a wide range of theoretical interests. These include strategy,
entrepreneurship, HRM, organizational behavior, knowledge management and
information systems, and many more. The diversity in theoretical approaches
to network research has yielded equally diverse methodological approaches,
analyzing both structural and relational dimensions of networks and networking
in organizational settings (e.g., Borgatti & Halgin, 2011; Brass et al., 2004;
Burt, 2004; Faraj & Johnson, 2010; Thompson, 2005; Zaheer & Soda, 2009).
The dramatic growth of network approaches to social processes is in addition
fueled by the emergence of new forms of organization such as knowledge,
development and interest communities on Internet. These repositories of
interaction and content allow the study of large scale interactions in a
continuous fashion. New challenges emerge methodologically (Howison,
Wiggins, & Crowston, 2011) as well as with regard to theories (Faraj,
Jarvenpaa, & Majchrzak, 2011). Analysis of large scale networks until now
focuses on network description and has added only a limited set of theoretical
insights. Attention to the dynamics of social and interest network evolution
(Conaldi, Lomi, & Tonellato, 2012) might spur interesting new approaches to
networks. In the nascent field also interest in the manner in which to
theoretically interpret and analyze the mass of network and content data
available on blogs, community forums and twitter is blooming. We are
interested in the cross connections that are possible between language,
culture and social network studies.
Scholarly interest in capturing and interpreting network dynamics is also
increasing (e.g., witnessed in the recent special issue in Organization Science
[Ahuja, Soda, & Zaheer, 2012]). However, research on social network
dynamics remains a theoretically and methodologically challenging territory
where new themes continue to emerge. For instance, how and why do the
structure, the content, and the meaning of relationships emerge and change
over time, but do networks nonetheless manage to maintain a clear focus?
What conclusions can be drawn about the interplay between meaning and
structure, and their contributions to network change and downfall over time?
And what do network dynamics mean for the interactions between people,
teams, organizations, and whole systems? Insights in these questions can help
both management research and practice to draw meaningful conclusions about
the utility and hindrance of networks at different points in time, and
understand how to better leverage the power of networks in support of
personal and organizational objectives.
Speakers:
Prof. Dan Brass, LINKS Centre, University of Kentucky
Prof. Joe Labianca, LINKS Centre, University of Kentucky
Prof. Allesandro Lomi, CORE, University of Lugano
Additional (to be announced)

Workshop objectives
This proposed workshop aims to bring together researchers interested in
organizational processes from a network perspective. The workshop offers a
forum to share the state of the art in network analysis and theorizing. It seeks
to gather contributions from diverse theoretical perspectives and
methodological approaches that build on or extend network research. It is
designed to attract papers that are in advanced state but not yet published
and thus can benefit from the feedback from peers, and for each a senior
scholar will act as a discussant.

Logistics, participants and support
The workshop is hosted by VU University Amsterdam, June 20 – 22, 2013. In
terms of participants, a balance will be sought to accommodate a mix of
researchers representing different theoretical perspectives, as well as
different stages in their career. The workshop will include round table sessions
with paper presentations and discussants, key note presentations by
prominent network scholars; and ample opportunity for social networking
among participants.
The workshop is organized as a collaborative effort between researchers in
the departments of Social Science, Business Administration, and Computer
Science, with support of the Amsterdam Business Research Institute (ABRI).
So doing, the workshop offers a unique combination of thematic expertise on a
wide array of topics related to social network structures and dynamics in
offline settings and in virtual environments, as well as skill-building support to
young researchers in early stages of their careers.

Organizing committee VU University
Prof. dr. Peter Groenewegen, Professor of Organization Sciences
Dr. Julie Ferguson, Assistant Professor of Organization Sciences
Dr. Dirk Deichmann, Assistant Professor of Organization Sciences
Adina Nerghes, PhD Organization Sciences

Supported by:
Department of Organization Sciences & Network Institute
Faculty of Social Sciences, VU University, Amsterdam
Amsterdam Business Research Institute, VU University, Amsterdam
Time schedule
We aim to have a maximum of 25 participants. In the program the emphasis
will be on work in progress both theoretical and empirical. Based on the
contributions invited we want to base discussions on integrating and agenda
setting, so ample room for discussion is foreseen. The workshop also will be a
place to discuss potential future projects.
If you are interested in participating, please send an abstract of your paper of
no more than 3000 words and a brief explanation of the project in which the
paper fits by 30 April to Peter Groenewegen at p.groenewegen@vu.nl

References
Ahuja, G., Soda, G., & Zaheer, A. 2012. Introduction to the Special Issue: The
Genesis and Dynamics of Organizational Networks. Organization Science, 23
(2): 434-448.
Borgatti, S.P., & Halgin, D.S. 2011. On Network Theory. Organization Science,
22(5): 1168–1181.
Brass, D. J., Galaskiewicz, J., Greve, H. R., & Tsai, W. 2004. Taking Stock of
Networks and Organizations: A Multilevel Perspective. Academy of
Management Journal, 47(6): 795-817.
Burt, R. S. 2004. Structural Holes and Good Ideas. American Journal of
Sociology, 110(2): 349-399.
Conaldi, G., Lomi, A., & Tonellato, M. 2012. Dynamic Models of Affiliation and
the Network Structure of Problem Solving in an Open Source Software Project.
Organizational Research Methods.
Faraj, S., & Johnson, S. L. 2010. Network Exchange Patterns in Online
Communities. Organization Science, 22(6): 1464-1480
Faraj, S., Jarvenpaa, S. L., & Majchrzak, A. 2011. Knowledge collaboration in
online communities. Organization Science, 22(5): 1224-1239.
Howison, J., Wiggins, A., & Crowston, K. 2011. Validity Issues in the Use of
Social Network Analysis for the Study of Online Communities. Journal of the
Association of Information Systems, 12(12): 767-797.
Thompson, M. 2005. Structural and Epistemic Parameters in Communities of
Practice. Organization Science, 16(2), 151-164.
Zaheer, A. & Soda, G. 2009. Network Evolution: The Origins of Structural
Holes. Administrative Science Quarterly, 54(1): 1-31.