Social network (systems theory)

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A social network is in the system theory often called system understood.

The perception of the lifeworld as that of a network , thinking in networks, is also an aspect of systems thinking that has emerged as a primary paradigm of modern thinking in all areas in recent decades . If the focus was initially on the composition of the system from its parts and the determination of the properties of the system parts and the overall system, the relationships between the system parts soon emerged as an independent dimension.

It turned out, however, that the sum of the properties of the parts (the sum of the networks of the individual actors) does not result in the properties of the whole (a “society” system). Because the systemic properties are not present in a single part of the system, but result from the processual relationships between the parts. In technology, this can even bring a new class of "errors" (from the engineering point of view: of "systemic errors") to mind, which in extreme cases can even catastrophically endanger the system (e.g. a factory) (system destruction) .

In the meantime, the system-theoretical “network” concept is moving away from sociology and approaching business administration . On closer inspection, these parts then in turn break down into smaller, network-like “systems”, so that ultimately the interrelationships, relationships and processes come primarily into focus as an independent level.

Concretized in the (mostly) economic area, the system-theoretical approach means a departure from conventional, hierarchically - dirigistically set organizational structures and a move towards cooperation and coordination in networks in business and society. The networked actors act within organizations, companies or as individuals in different networks. Companies and organizations form their own networks and are integrated into larger network structures. A lot is expected of the associated discursive processes (mostly in business organization theory), synergetic effects are postulated and innovations are promised. Even if the difficulties of this development become clear at the same time, the trend was unbroken in 2003 and a rethink was set in motion, which began in forms of network marketing .

classification

According to Weyer , (systemic) social networks can be divided into four categories according to the areas of activity:

  • Strategic networks - corporate networks
  • Regional networks
  • Policy networks
  • Innovation networks

literature

Web links

See also

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Johannes Weyer: Social Networks , Munich: Oldenbourg 2000, ISBN 3-486-25257-7