Brokers and Entrepreneurs in Human Stem Cell Governance Networks in the United States

Abstract

The policy debate over embryonic stem cell (ESC) research in the United States mainly focuses on the extent to which the government ought to provide resources for that research. This article addresses the strategic use of network positions to mobilize an effective coordination system for lifting the moratorium on funding of ESC under the Obama administration since March 2009. By identifying patterns of interactions between members in a network of embedded ties, we can explore the major actors who play the role of brokers or entrepreneurs in stem cell research funding policy under the Obama administration. For that, this article utilizes social network analysis and the G&F brokerage roles framework to identify key brokers in facilitating coordination among various members engaged in funding human stem cell research in the governance network.

Key Technologies and Development Trends of 5G Optical Networks

“…The key players of a network can be identified using the network-centric analytic approach [30]; the players located at the center of the network have a higher level of influence compared with the other players in the network [31]. Several studies have conducted a centrality analysis to either determine the knowledge map and hotspots of a specific domain [34,35] or identify the broker and gatekeeper in a technical collaboration network [36,37]. In view of the effectiveness of centrality analysis in determining whether a player is key, most studies have adopted a network-centric analytic approach for the identification of key players [38], considering that players at the center of a network have a greater influence on other players [39].…”