Post on 05-Jan-2016
Social Network Mapping: Notice the relationships between people, groups in a network-based theory.
Look for identity, profession, culture, and connections by “mapping” the links in special, computerised
programmes
This is an example of a Look Research Method
Social Network Mapping has become more important in Business as it makes visible the hidden connections that are important for sharing information, decision
making and innovation.
My colleague and I want to understand how Social Network Mapping can help with design and brand identityIdeo used this method of research to help with the design of Havaianas tote bags so that the already famous brand could extend their range of offeringsThe reason for carrying out this kind of research was to capture the close relationship of Havaianas with Brazil and reflect this in their new range
Network Analysis of Group Member 1
Me
i-business UCD part-
time group
Assignment sub-groups
School Parenting group
Community groups
Social Groups
Work Groups
Friends/facebook/linked
in groups
Network Mapping of UCD Smurfit Business School
Admin Group
Staff (Lecturer Group)
Each Course Overall group
Social Groups
fulltime
Part-time
Sub-teams
Sub-teams
UCD SocietiesFacebook
Linked In
Career Groups
UCD Campuses
AlumniOther Colleges &
Universities
Social Network Map Group Member 2
ME
Daughter
Friends
Work
College
Virtual Social Networks
School
Parent’s Assoc.
Departments in work
Geographical locations of colleagues
Class Groups
Sub-Groups
UCD Connect
Family
Daughter’s Father & Family
Immediate Family
Geographical locations of friends
Repair Project Group
Transition Project Group
Project Groups
Extended Family
k
Links Legend
Strong Positive LinkPositive LinkNeutral LinkNegative LinStrong Negative Link
Roberto Cremonini 5-step framework for planning network-mapping exercises
Procedure• Think about the information I want to glean
from this process• What problems I might encounter• How I define my relationships/networks• How important those relationships/networks
are to me• Are they positive or negative?• How to then map my findings on a network and
define the relationships to the nucleus (myself)• It is important to define the relationships as
some are more important than others
Found the following:• It’s not as easy as it looks• A clearly defined goal is needed otherwise, the network could,
essentially go on infinitely • It allowed me to think about the people and networks most
important in my life• These networks constantly change and the links connecting them
can change as well as how close to your network they are placed• Continual monitoring and updating of network needed• Visually it’s interesting to see how we can all be connected in some
way• It would be difficult to be honest as there are connections that you
may not want people to know about or negative connections that you don’t want to think about – this could especially be the case in criminal activities when police try to link criminals to crimes or gangs