Social Networks and Career Advancement
| Module title | Social Networks and Career Advancement |
|---|---|
| Module code | BEMM825 |
| Academic year | 2025/6 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr Lei Liu (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 40 |
|---|
Module description
Social networks are essential components of contemporary societies and play a pivotal role in shaping career trajectories and organizational outcomes. This module introduces how social networks in organizations are formed, maintained, and evolve over time, emphasizing their impact on individual career advancement and organizational outcomes. Additionally, the module provides a foundational introduction to network research methods, equipping students with tools to analyse and understand social connections in professional contexts. This module is ideal for students seeking to understand organizational behaviours and enhance their career prospects through a social network perspective.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module aims to equip you with the knowledge of social network related theories and the relevance and importance of social networks to career advancement and management in contemporary organizations. With a focus on discussing classic as well as cutting-edge academic articles in the social network area, this module also attempts to develop your critical thinking skill. On completion, you will be able to use a social network angle to understand and analyse individual, team, and organizational processes and outcomes. You will also be able to generate practical insights regarding how to form and leverage social networks in organizations to enhance career progression and facilitate the achievement of personal or organizational goals.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Discuss social network related knowledge and the method for social network analysis
- 2. Critically evaluate the social network literature
- 3. Apply social network related knowledge to practical problems in organizations
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. Explain organizational behaviours from a social network perspective
- 5. Discuss how to conduct social network research in organizations
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 6. Provide advice to managers or interested people regarding social network analysis in organizations
- 7. Develop the skill of effectively communicating opinions in writing
Syllabus plan
Our lectures will cover the following major topic areas:
- Introduction of social network research
- Basic Concepts in social network research
- Whole networks, Ego networks, and cognitive social networks
- Overview of the key theories
- Brokerage
- Antecedents of social networks
- Social networks and individual outcomes
- Social networks and team outcomes
- Team and organizational level networks
- Social network research method
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | 130 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching activities | 20 | Lectures (10 x 2 hours) |
| Guided Independent Study | 60 | Preparatory reading before taught sessions |
| Guided Independent Study | 70 | Preparation of assignments |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quiz | 2 x 10-15min | 1-6 | Verbal feedback will be provided in class. |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Individual essay | 100 | 3000 words | 1-7 | Written, individual |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual essay | Individual essay (3000 words, 100%) | 1-7 | Referral/Deferral period |
Re-assessment notes
The original assignment brief will be used for re-assessment.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
No textbook covers all the topics discussed in this module. Interested students could consult the following:
Kilduff, M. & Tsai, W. (2003). Social Networks and Organizations, London: Sage.
Borgatti, S. P., Everett, M. G. & Johnson, J. C. (2013). Analyzing Social Networks, 1nd edn, London: Sage.
The readings on the module are primarily taken from key academic journals, such as Administrative Science Quarterly, Academy of Management Journal, Academy of Management Review, Journal of Applied Psychology, Organization Science, Leadership Quarterly
Example articles include:
Brands, R. A. & Kilduff, M. (2014). Just like a woman? Effects of gender-biased perceptions of friendship network brokerage on attributions and performance. Organization Science, 25(5), 1530-1548.
Brass, D. J. (1984). Being in the right place: A structural analysis of individual influence in an organization. Administrative Science Quarterly, 29(4), 518-539.
Burt, R. S. (2004). Structural holes and good ideas. American Journal of Sociology, 110(2), 349-399.
Granovetter, M. S. (1973). The strength of weak ties. American Journal of Sociology, 78(6), 1360-1380.
Kilduff, M. (1992). The friendship network as a decision-making resource: Dispositional moderators of social influences on organizational choice. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 62(1), 168-180.
Kilduff, M. & Lee, J. W. (2020). The integration of people and networks. Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior, 7(1), 155-179.
Kilduff, M. & Krackhardt, D. (1994). Bringing the individual back in: A structural analysis of the internal market for reputation in organizations. Academy of Management Journal, 37(1), 87-108.
Levin, D. Z., Walter, J. & Murnighan, J. K. (2011). Dormant ties: The value of reconnecting. Organization Science, 22(4), 923-939.
Mehra, A., Kilduff, M. & Brass, D. J. (2001). The social networks of high and low self-monitors: Implications for workplace performance. Administrative Science Quarterly, 46(1), 121-146.
Obstfeld, D. (2005). Social networks, the tertius iungens orientation, and involvement in innovation. Administrative Science Quarterly, 50(1), 100-130.
Perry-Smith, J. E. & Shalley, C. E. (2003). The social side of creativity: A static and dynamic social network perspective. Academy of Management Review, 28(1), 89–106.
Podolny, J. M. & Baron, J. N. (1997). Resources and relationships: Social networks and mobility in the workplace. American Sociological Review, 62(5), 673-693.
Sparrowe, R. T. & Liden, R. C. (2005). Two routes to influence: Integrating leader-member exchange and network perspectives. Administrative Science Quarterly, 50(4), 505-535.
Tasselli, S. & Kilduff, M. (2018). When brokerage between friendship cliques endangers trust: a personality–network fit perspective. Academy of Management Journal, 61(3), 802-825.
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 7 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 05/03/2025 |
| Last revision date | 10/03/2025 |
