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***** To join INSNA, visit http://www.insna.org ***** IMHO, density is too simple/general of a metric for this type of study. You can get very similar density scores from two very different networks[in terms of structure]. What is important is the *pattern* of ties surrounding the scientists. If you read Burt carefully [you should get his latest book -- "Brokerage and Closure"] you will see he focuses on the pattern of links surrounding a node, not just simple density. The word "optimal" implies that organizations can be made into "well- oiled machines"... which of course they can not. Some managers now think that "scale free" is optimal for their organizations... ;-) Valdis On Oct 17, 2005, at 11:24 AM, Jean Singer wrote: > ***** To join INSNA, visit http://www.insna.org ***** > > <>Dear Socnetters -- > > > I'm working on a dissertation study that examines the advice > networks of > scientists in R&D. I've characterized the networks in terms of > density > and two primary measures of diversity: index of qualitative variation > (similar to Blau's heterogeneity index) and the proportion of ties to > organizational units outside a given focal unit (similar to > Krackhardt's > E/I Index). I'm interested in the balance between density and network > diversity because of literature that suggests a combination of > these two > may be optimal for performance (e.g., Burt 2001, Oh et al 2004). > However, aside from Oh's paper, I haven't found studies that quantify > the "optimal" levels of density or diversity. Particularly with > respect > to network diversity, I'm interested in understanding the point where > you go from "enough" to "too much" (assuming there is one, as the > simulation by Cowan and Jonard 2001 suggests...) Can anyone point me > toward studies that quantify the "optimal" balance between density and > diversity, or that indicate the point at which the benefits of network > diversity may start to drop off? > > Many thanks -- > Jean > > > Jean Singer > Doctoral Candidate > Fielding Graduate Institute > > _____________________________________________________________________ > SOCNET is a service of INSNA, the professional association for social > network researchers (http://www.insna.org). To unsubscribe, send > an email message to [log in to unmask] containing the line > UNSUBSCRIBE SOCNET in the body of the message. > > > _____________________________________________________________________ SOCNET is a service of INSNA, the professional association for social network researchers (http://www.insna.org). To unsubscribe, send an email message to [log in to unmask] containing the line UNSUBSCRIBE SOCNET in the body of the message.