Social capital, structuralism, and organizational form: Three social network theory perspectives for research in higher education

Abstract

Social network analysis offers much for understanding educational contexts, including inequalities. However, adoption of network methods has not always been accompanied by clear understanding of network theoretical assumptions. With an eye to closing the gap between network methods and theory, literature from three major theoretical perspectives on social networks is reviewed. First, social capital comes from network ties providing access to beneficial outcomes, often material resources. Second, structuralism assumes primacy of network structures, and largely disregards individual agency. Third, at the organizational level, the network form of organization contrasts to hierarchies. Each perspective has conceptual strengths and weaknesses. Critical views are also needed; network research should disrupt inequalities in education.