Compound exchange networks: An experimental investigation of compound connected subnetworks.
详细信息
文摘
The research detailed here extends the scope of Network Exchange Theory by providing predictions and experimental data for exchange networks with compound connections. Connections are compounded when one connection type occurs across subnetworks and another occurs within one or more subnetworks. Network connections are structural power conditions that specify exchange requirements. Previous research indicates that different types of single connection create different distributions of power in exchange networks. Not previously investigated is how connection types effect power distribution when compounded.;Network Exchange Theory is used to: (i) build theoretical models; (ii) develop hypotheses; (iii) calculate exchange ratio predictions; and (iv) design experiments for fifteen compound networks. This research uses three connection types defined by Network Exchange Theory, exclusion, null, and inclusion. For each exchange network these connection types are compounded within and across two subnetworks, each with two relations.;The theory of this research asserts that: (i) the power distribution in compound connected networks is different from networks with a single connection; (ii) the configuration of connections determines power distribution; and (iii) different configurations produce different power distributions and exchange frequencies. Observed data provides strong support for the hypotheses drawn from Network Exchange Theory.;Each chapter presented is written as a self-contained piece that informs the overall research on compound connections. Chapter 1 critically analyzes the capabilities of two theories, Power Dependence and Network Exchange, to model two or more connection types within the same exchange network. Chapter 2 examines the cumulation of material knowledge of these network exchange programs by describing the development of their experimental instruments and procedures. Central to the discussion is the ability of the experimental design to exactly replicate the theoretical model. Chapter 3 extends Network Exchange Theory to networks with inclusively compounded connections, applies Network Exchange Theory's resistance equations to five inclusively compounded networks to generate exchange ratio predictions, and compares predictions to observed exchange ratios from the experimental investigation of these networks. Similarly, Chapter 4 extends Network Exchange Theory to exclusively and null compounded networks.