Close encounters: Analyzing how social similarity and propinquity contribute to strong network connections.
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CE_Final.pdf
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743.76 KB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
e21cda3465fea74a5d1aa7c234877d4c
Author(s)
Reagans, Ray Eugene
Date Issued
July 2011
Journal
Organization Science
Publisher
Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences
Citation
Reagans, R. “Close Encounters: Analyzing How Social Similarity and Propinquity Contribute to Strong Network Connections.” Organization Science 22.4 (2011): 835–849.
Version
Author's final manuscript
Abstract
Models of network formation emphasize the importance of social similarity and propinquity in producing strong interpersonal connections. The positive effect each factor can have on tie strength has been documented across a number of studies, and yet we know surprisingly very little about how the two factors combine to produce strong ties. Being in close proximity could either amplify or dampen the positive effect that social similarity can have on tie strength. Data on tie strength among teachers working in five public schools were analyzed to shed light on this theoretical question. The empirical results indicate that teachers who were similar in age were more likely to be connected by a strong tie, especially teachers for whom age similarity was more likely to be salient. Moreover, teachers who took breaks at the same time or who had classrooms on the same floor communicated more frequently and felt more emotionally attached. Among the public school teachers, propinquity amplified the positive effect that age similarity had on tie strength. The strongest network connections occurred among age-similar teachers who had classrooms on the same floor. The empirical results illustrate the value of considering how social similarity and propinquity contribute to strong ties independently and when combined with each other.
MIT Department
Sloan School of Management
Terms of Use
Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0
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DOI of Published Version
https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.1100.0587
