Social network analysis is a powerful tool to visualize systems and networks of partners in a particular community or issue area. It is increasingly being used in the philanthropic sector by foundations to improve the way they collaborate and leverage their network of partners, grantees,
At Visible Network Labs, we know that taking a network science lens on the world can be a transformative approach. Investigating and understanding the web of connections that link people and organizations can introduce new ways of seeing the world and solving problems. On the
“Systems thinking is a discipline for seeing wholes. It is a framework for seeing interrelationships rather than things, for seeing ‘patterns of change’ rather than ‘static snapshots.” ⏤ Peter Senge Tweet Systems thinking is getting more popular than ever as more and more people realize
It’s more and more common for people working towards social impact to build and work in networks to reach their shared goals. By sharing information and resources, coordinating their activity, and collectively measuring their impact, a network can accomplish far more than a single individual
A Network Science Brief from Visible Network Labs Social Network Analysis (SNA) is the study of the structural relationships among interacting actors and the resulting effect on the network (how those relationships produce varying effects). A network is any interconnected group or system. The power
The theory of structural holes and networks suggests that intentional leaving gaps between members of a network provides certain key advantages. Tightly interconnected networks are full of redundant information – you don’t necessarily need to actively work with everything in a coalition to fully leverage
The Strength of Weak Ties was one of the most important network science theories in existence. In 1973, Mark Granovetter wrote his landmark paper studying how people get jobs through their personal networks. Contrary to expectations, Mark found that people typically get new jobs through
Understanding a few network structure metrics can really tell you a lot about the underlying relationships! Centrality, Connectivity, Bridging, and Cliques are four fundamental network science concepts – visit our Network Science 101 page for even more infographics, videos and articles on the subject! Build,
Don’t miss our updates on using network science and relationship mapping to strengthen collaboration and improve community health.
Our Network Leadership Guide shares tips to build, manage, and strengthen your network of community partners. It’s perfect for those taking a systematic approach to address the root causes of health inequity or the social determinants of health.
