(1983). Research Round-Up. Connections, 6 (2) - INSNA

Walter Bien, (MoZZenkotten 167, 56 Wuppertal 2, West Germany, FRG)Using network methodology to prove structure related hypotheses in the area of smallgroup analysis (communication, liking, power structures) . Also developing models andalgorithms to analyze data and to describe such data in graph structures .Up to May, 1983 I am working in the Population Studies Center of the University ofMichigan and here I try to use network methodology in the area of migration research .The long term aim is to make it possible to prove hypotheses about changing structuresin social groups based on ordinal data, and to describe the process of group dynamics moreadequately .John BoZZand, (Political Science, Univ . of Kansas, 504 Blake Hill, Lawrence, Kansas, 66045)My interest is in combining elements of network theory and theories of decision makinginto a general theory of agenda setting and policy development in the city . In thisformulation, the channels of the network are linkages through which ideas, information, andinfluence flow among agenda setting participants .Peter Carrington, (Sociology, ErindaZe College, University of Toronto, Toronto M5S 1A1, Canada)Development of blockmodelling methods ; application to corporate interlock and othernetworks .Douglas Caulkins, (Anthropology, Grinnel College, Grinnell, Iowa, 50112)Comparative study of interorganizational networks in two Norwegian towns, one arapidly changing new industrial community and the other an old market town and educationalcenter . Data collection completed ; analysis begins summer -1983 .Werner Degenhardt, (Institut fuer Kommunikationswissenschaft, KaroZinenpZatz 3, 9000Muenchen 2, FRG)Currently no research project under way . Still learning and planning phase .General themes : "Information Seeking in Social Networks""Contextual determinants of information diffusion""Structural effects on voting behaviour and problem (issue)recognition"Planned project : "Determinants of/effects on social networks on/by the introductionof new telecommunications media"Thomas Fararo, (Sociology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA ., 15260)Research in progress : (1) Further developments of the biased-net theory representationof Blau's theory of social structure, including both heterogenity and inequality aspectsand (2) further developments of institution representation in terms of "production systems",grammar-like generative rules for institutionalized action and interaction episodes . Bothprojects are primarily conceptual and mathematical, although also geared to testing in termsof appropriate forms of data . This work is in collaboration with John Skvoretz (at SouthCarolina) .Robert Faulkner, (Sociology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst)NetworkRange,Productivity,andCareerinTheHollywoodFilmIndustry_A comparative study of cumulative advantage in a freelance contracting system . Motionpicture productions are market events (contracts) and artistic enterprises that connectparticipants (producers, directors, cinematographers, screenwriters) . Continuity in themarket heightens one's presence ; productivity benefits network range so that the numberanddiversity of active work connections facilitates career success . Network range isunequally distributed in the film business so that a small proportion of film producersand directors, for example, reach many and different support personnel (cinematographers,screenwriters, composers) . Early evidence suggests that for artistic support personnel,structural position predicts market presence for some but not for others, a puzzle given