<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>Social network analysis has been one of the most influential scientific revolutions of the past century. Its success has been due, in part, to its methodological sophistication and the emphasis it places on identifying and clearly depicting features of social structure. As such, social network analysis is often viewed in stark contrast to the structuralist paradigm that dominated the social sciences prior to its rise – structural–functionalism - in the mid-20th century. In this paper, we highlight important connections that exist between the key assumptions of social network analysis and the key tenets of some of the most influential structural-functional theories – especially those of Robert K. Merton and Talcott Parsons and their collaborators and followers. We reveal a substantial affinity between some of their most influential ideas and contemporary analysis of social network <italic>dynamics</italic>, in particular, and several ways in which their work could inform promising advances in this line of research. Our ultimate goal is to highlight the prospect of using these theories to guide future analyses of the dynamics of large social systems and the sequences of real-time action that compose them.</p></abstract>

If Parsons had Pajek: The Relevance of Midcentury Structural-Functionalism to Dynamic Network Analysis<sup>*</sup>

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Journal of Social Structure

The Journal of Social Structure (JoSS) is an electronic journal of the International Network for Social Network Analysis (INSNA). It is designed to facilitate timely dissemination of state-of-the-art results in the interdisciplinary research area of the network representation of social structure. It publishes empirical, theoretical and methodological articles focused on social networks and their analysis.  JoSS is especially interested in manuscripts that are focused on social structure in network terms, that is, in terms of the patterning of social linkages among actors. These actors could be comprised of different types or levels of analysis, such as animals, humans, artificial agents, groups or organizations.  Articles are accepted only after peer review. Comments, rejoinders and extensions on already published articles will be peer-reviewed and if accepted will be attached via a hyperlink to the previously published piece.   Open Access Policy  This journal provides immediate open access to its content under the Creative Commons CC BY-NC 4.0 license on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge. Under the CC BY-NC 4.0 license users are free to share (copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format) and adapt the work (remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose) if the contribution was properly attributed and and used for non-commercial purposes.  ABOUT SOCIETY  International Network for Social Network Analysis is the professional association for researchers interested in social network analysis. The association is a non-profit organization incorporated in the state of Delaware and founded by Barry Wellman in 1977. INSNA was founded on the premise that the behavior and lives of social entities are affected by their position in the overall social structure. Network analysts believe that how an individual lives depends in large part on how that individual is tied into the larger web of social connections. Many believe, moreover, that the success or failure of societies and organizations often depends on the patterning of their internal structure. Social network analysis has found important applications in organizational behavior, inter-organizational relations, the spread of contagious diseases, mental health, social support, the diffusion of information and animal social organization. Today it has become an international effort with its own professional organizations, textbooks, journals, research centers, training centers and computer programs designed specifically to facilitate the analysis of social network structural data.   Archiving  Sciendo archives the contents of this journal in Portico - digital long-term preservation service of scholarly books, journals and collections.  Plagiarism Policy  The editorial board is participating in a growing community of Similarity Check System's users in order to ensure that the content published is original and trustworthy. Similarity Check is a medium that allows for comprehensive manuscripts screening, aimed to eliminate plagiarism and provide a high standard and quality peer-review process. 

Journal of Social Structure

Volume 17 (2016): Issue 1 (January 2016)

If Parsons had Pajek: The Relevance of Midcentury Structural-Functionalism to Dynamic Network Analysis^*

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Tous les volumes et éditions dans cette revue

Journal of Social Structure

Volume 17 (2016): Issue 1 (January 2016)

If Parsons had Pajek: The Relevance of Midcentury Structural-Functionalism to Dynamic Network Analysis*

Chercher

Tous les volumes et éditions dans cette revue

If Parsons had Pajek: The Relevance of Midcentury Structural-Functionalism to Dynamic Network Analysis^*