Patrick Kenis

How Organizational Field Networks Shape Interorganizational Tie-Formation Rates

We investigate the impact of communication in field-level networks on rates of formation of interorganizational collaborative ties, such as strategic alliances and joint ventures. After developing the concept of an organizational field network (“field-net”), we derive a set of testable propositions and corollaries that relate field-net properties, such as density, reciprocity, centralization, multiplexity, and hierarchy, to subsequent nonlinear changes in interorganizational tie-formation rates. We conclude by discussing aspects of empirical research for testing the empirical validity of these propositions.

Heading Toward a Society of Networks Empirical Developments and Theoretical Challenges

In the essay, it is first argued that Western societies are moving towards a society of networks, i.e. a society, in which the formal, vertically integrated organization that has dominated the 20th century is replaced or at least complemented by consciously created and goal directed networks of three and more organizations (whole networks). To substantiate this proposition we describe and analyze the development of organizational forms and the subsequent scientific efforts to grasp these developments theoretically and methodologically in the last 200-300 years. Second, the current state of network theory is briefly evaluated with regard to whole networks. In a third part, future research avenues concerning the development of theories that explain the coming into being, functioning, structure, governance and dissolution of whole networks (network theories) are discussed.

Network analysis of collaboration structure in Wikipedia

In this paper we give models and algorithms to describe and analyze the collaboration among authors of Wikipedia from a network analytical perspective. The edit network encodes who interacts how with whom when editing an article; it significantly extends previous network models that code author communities in Wikipedia. Several characteristics summarizing some aspects of the organization process and allowing the analyst to identify certain types of authors can be obtained from the edit network. Moreover, we propose several indicators characterizing the global network structure and methods to visualize edit networks. It is shown that the structural network indicators are correlated with quality labels of the associated Wikipedia articles.

Explorations into the Visualization of Policy Networks

Visualization is an important aspect of both exploration and communication of categorical as well as relational data. Graphical displays of policy networks are particularly attractive, since they enable authors to display in a compact way the relevant actors in a network, how they are related to each other, and what the overall structure looks like. Sociograms were early companions of social network analysis, but have received surprisingly little attention during the following decades. Only in the last few years has easy accessibility to quality computing and graphic equipment revived a now rapidly growing interest. In this paper, we analyze the problem of visualizing policy networks. We first argue why network visualization is important and non-trivial. Then we show that current methods are somewhat ad hoc in their attempt to convey information contained in a network. Our main contribution is a systematic approach to network visualization, closely following the general principles of information visualization. It provides a generic formalization which may serve as a guideline for further developments.

Communicating centrality in policy network drawings

We introduce a network visualization technique that supports an analytical method applied in the social sciences. Policy network analysis is an approach to study policy making structures, processes, and outcomes, thereby concentrating on relations between policy actors. An important operational concept for the analysis of policy networks is the notion of centrality, i.e., the distinction of actors according to their importance in a relational structure. We integrate this measure in a layout model for networks by mapping structural to geometric centrality. Thus, centrality values and network data can be presented simultaneously and explored interactively.

The control of public networks

ABSTRACT This paper examines the control of networks, an issue that we believe is critical for explaining the overall effectiveness of public networks. We first discuss why it is important to study the issue and why it has been neglected as a topic by public management and organization scholars. We then present the various types of control and how they are utilized in a network context. Finally, we discuss how the mechanisms of control might be related to network effectiveness, drawing heavily on an understanding of how this relationship is addressed by contingency theorists. We close by posing challenges to researchers for developing new insights into the control of networks and why this knowledge is relevant for public managers and policy makers.

Explanation Through Network Visualization

Assessments of configurations, dynamics, and cause and effect are at the heart of our thinking and explanation. Although numerous methods for such assessments have been developed and are being used in daily scientific practice, visualization is usually not considered to be one of them. In this article we first argue that this is due to the common practice of visualizing data rather than the information contained in it; second, we address a number of principles for effective visualization; and third, we assess visualizations generated by the software tool visone in order to explain network outcomes using these principles.

It's Only Temporary: Time Frame and the Dynamics of Creative Project Teams

The success of many knowledge-intensive industries depends on creative projects that lie at the heart of their logic of production. The temporality of such projects, however, is an issue that is insufficiently understood. To address this, we study the perceived time frame of teams that work on creative projects and its effects on project dynamics. An experiment with 267 managers assigned to creative project teams with varying time frames demonstrates that compared to creative project teams with a relatively longer time frame, project teams with a shorter time frame focus more on the immediate present, are less immersed in their task, and utilize a more heuristic mode of information processing. Furthermore, we find that time frame moderates the negative effect of team conflict on team cohesion. These results are consistent with our theory that the temporary nature of creative projects shapes different time frames among project participants, and that it is this time frame that is an important predictor of task and team processes.

Waiting lists in Dutch health care: an analysis from an organization theoretical perspective.

PURPOSE To develop propositions on why public policies towards decreasing waiting list in health care can be expected to be unsuccessful. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH On the basis of a case study of public policies directed towards the reduction of the waiting lists in health care a number of propositions are formulated explaining why this policy has turned out to be ineffective. The propositions are based on theoretical insights form the field of organizations studies about the behavior of organizations and professionals. FINDINGS It is demonstrated that public policies on reducing waiting lists in the Dutch health care system are likely to be ineffective because the policy-making strategies used are based on unrealistic assumptions about the behavior of organizations and professionals who are expected to reduce the waiting lists. RESEARCH LIMITATIONS/IMPLICATIONS Although the propositions are based on established organization literature, empirically they are only based on one case study. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS In order to develop effective policy interventions it is important to be realistic about the behavior and strategies of the actors towards which the policy is directed. Moreover, rather than directing exclusive attention to those waiting, it is important for policy makers to address the interdependencies of the organizational field in which waiting lists occur. ORIGINALITY/VALUE This paper gives directions to policy makers who need to deal with complex and interdependent problems.

Regional Innovation Networks

The aim of this book is to present a much-needed conceptualization of ‘the learning region’. The editors scrutinize key concepts and issues surrounding this phenomenon, which are then discussed in the context of recent literature. This unique conceptualization of the learning region presents a state of the art exploration of theories. Leading scholars from across Europe, the USA and South Africa draw upon various disciplines to explain how regional actors perform regional learning.