In Either Market or Hierarchy, But not in Both Simultaneously: Where Strong-Tie Networks are Found in the Economy
Contemporary Perspectives on Organizational Social Networks
ISBN: 978-1-78350-751-1, eISBN: 978-1-78350-752-8
Publication date: 14 July 2014
Abstract
I integrate several literatures on how networks relate to firms and markets. While the logic of strong ties (based on mutual goodwill, trust, and commitment) is distinct from the style of interaction classically associated with hierarchical firms and free markets, such ties in fact depend on the legal environments constituted by firm and market. A key role is played by credible commitments to refrain from exercising rights to control others and exit relationships with them. But since such commitments to employees conflict with commitments to contractors, strong ties may be prevalent internally or externally, but not in both simultaneously.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Acknowledgments
I am grateful to the editors of this volume for inviting me to participate, for their patience with me, and for their helpful comments. I would also like to thank the coauthors on the papers I integrate here – Pierre Azoulay, Nelson Repenning, and especially Bob Freeland, who provided great feedback on this essay as well. The usual caveat applies.
Citation
Zuckerman, E.W. (2014), "In Either Market or Hierarchy, But not in Both Simultaneously: Where Strong-Tie Networks are Found in the Economy", Contemporary Perspectives on Organizational Social Networks (Research in the Sociology of Organizations, Vol. 40), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 111-133. https://doi.org/10.1108/S0733-558X(2014)0000040006
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2014 Emerald Group Publishing Limited