Network Interventions

Abstract

The term "network interventions" describes the process of using social network data to accelerate behavior change or improve organizational performance. In this Review, four strategies for network interventions are described, each of which has multiple tactical alternatives. Many of these tactics can incorporate different mathematical algorithms. Consequently, researchers have many intervention choices at their disposal. Selecting the appropriate network intervention depends on the availability and character of network data, perceived characteristics of the behavior, its existing prevalence, and the social context of the program.

Innovation, cooperation, and the structure of three regional sustainable agriculture networks in California

“…To be effective, agricultural outreach professionals cannot simply broadcast knowledge; they should strategically assemble or Bweave^networks (VanceBorland and Holley 2011; Lubell et al 2014). Agricultural outreach professionals can develop programs that explicitly intervene in networks, by targeting communication at central leaders or brokers, identifying network subgroups with different communication needs or potential for linkages, or creating new network links for open or closed structures depending on whether the goal is spreading information or fostering cooperation (Valente 2012). Governing institutions like land grant universities or other types of agricultural extension systems should reward outreach professionals for engaging in these types of network-smart strategies (Hoffman et al 2015).…”

Harnessing social networks for promoting adoption of energy technologies in the domestic sector

“…The importance of social network influences on behaviour is well recognized outside of the energy policy domain, and network interventions can be used to accelerate behaviour change (Valente, 2012). In this paper, we define network interventions as purposeful efforts to use social networks to accelerate the increase of adoption of energy technologies in domestic properties.…”

“…We largely follow the framework of network interventions outlined by Valente (2012), informed by strategies that have been proposed, such as the Committee on Climate Change's proposal that energy-efficiency measures be rolled-out in a street-bystreet/neighbourhood approach (Committee on Climate Change, 2009). However, we also propose interventions that are aimed at the threshold (barrier to adoption) as opposed to altering the network itself.…”

Global Bridges: Development and Analysis of a Tobacco Treatment Network

“…The connections within most regions where GB has been implemented are not broad or extensive yet, but it is clear that communication is occurring. While such communication may seem trivial, when creating a new network, it is essential to demonstrate such communication to justify continued effort at building and sustaining the network, and it is valuable to assess success in programme implementation (Valente, 2012;Valente, Palinkas, Czaja, Chu, & Brown, 2015). The tobacco dependence treatment collaboration network data also indicated that professional and organisations ties are forming through GB activities and efforts, and that the GB network is influencing contact and introducing resources concerning tobacco dependence treatment to its members.…”

“…One of the objectives of that Monograph was to encourage thinking about tobacco control from a 'systems' perspective, including to 'develop and optimize networks to enable the community to more efficiently address varied populations, critical channels for intervention, and intervention types' . Since that seminal Monograph was published, we have investigated multiple networks to better understand how network structure and function can be optimised to improve tobacco control decision-making (Bonito et al, 2013;Harris et al, 2012a;2012b;Leischow et al, 2010;2012;Provan, Beagles, Leischow, & Mercken, 2013;Provan, Leischow, Keagy, & Nodora, 2009;Saul, Bonito, Provan, Ruppel, & Leischow, 2014;Terpstra et al, 2013). By creating a global tobacco treatment network, fostering communication and collaboration in that network, and then using network analyses to identify ways to strengthen and expand the network, our goal was to create and sustain an infrastructure that could eventually lead to global improvements in tobacco treatment.…”