The strength of a tie is “a combination of the amount of time, emotional intensity, intimacy, and the reciprocal services that characterize the tie” (Granovetter, 1973, p. 1361). For example, ties to friends are strong ties whereas ties to acquaintances are weak ties. Strong ties enable individuals to gain more resources from their contacts than weak ties.
Published in Chapter:
Applying Social Network Theory to the Effects of Information Technology Implementation
Qun Wu (University of Arkansas at Little Rock, USA), Jiming Wu (California State University East Bay, USA), and Juan Ling (Georgia College and State University, USA)
Copyright: © 2009
|Pages: 11
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-60566-659-4.ch018
Abstract
While some studies have found a significant link between information technology (IT) and firm performance, others have observed negative or zero returns on IT investments. One explanation for the mixed findings is that the causal link from IT to firm performance may be mediated. However, previous information system (IS) research has paid relatively little attention to such mediators. In this chapter, we develop a conceptual framework in which social network plays a mediating role in the relationship between IT usage and firm performance. Specifically, IT usage helps organizations strengthen inter- and intra-organizational networks, which, in turn, enhance firm performance.