Full Circle Associates

Andy Swarbrick's Knowledge Business Website : Knowledge Networks and Communities

From Andy's intro page, still in evolving form (I love transparently seeing someone's work and thinking!:

SNA in a Business/Enterprise Context
Having found myself in a position where I am inundated with notifications about the latest, book, research article and tools related to social network analysis (SNA). I decided that it would be good to try and share some of these good resources in a constructive way.? With the rapid acceleration of materials and interest in this topic I wondered if I might be able to provide some guide for people like myself learning how to use the network approaches, techniques and tools in a business context.

As the field of social network analysis now runs alongside the wider field of what is becoming known as ?science of networks? it can become quickly quite confusing. The science of networks looks at applying network based analytical and modelling techniques to explore everything from the behaviour of neurons in the brain of a flea to the flow of energy through a national grid system. This branching of network thinking areas of biology, physics, economic, social policy, spread of disease, destabilising terror networks etc, while deeply enriching to the field, makes it increasingly hard to navigate for newbie.

Therefore this part of my web site contains a number of books, papers and online resources that I think provide a good food for thought for the application of SNA in a business context.?? That is the direct application of the thinking, approaches, techniques and tools from SNA to organisational problems.?

In order to do my bit I will evaluate the all the resources for how appropriate and useful they are for people at different stages development of their network ness.

?? It is my own personal development life cycle (thought up in the five minutes before writing this document) so please do not take it as any kind of recognised classification of expertise within the field J.

NB The focus here is on people wanting to develop competence in conducting their own network analysis and less on those interested in the various network based products and services that are on the market. It does however, look to provide an idea of how people will be better able to understand and evaluate the value and impact of these offerings.