Where Do Small Worlds Come From?

29 Pages Posted: 30 Sep 2007

See all articles by Joel A. C. Baum

Joel A. C. Baum

University of Toronto - Joseph L. Rotman School of Management

Andrew V. Shipilov

INSEAD

Tim Rowley

University of Toronto - Rotman School of Management

Abstract

Interfirm networks often take on characteristics consistent with the notion of a small world - they are locally clustered into dense sub-networks or cliques that are sparsely connected by a small number of ties that cut across the cliques, linking network members through a relatively small number of intermediaries. Are these characteristics an emergent property of interfirm networks that result from chance connections among firms, or more strategic partnering by firms to improve or protect their network positions? After outlining a behavioral account for this frequently observed network topology, we show that the evolving investment bank syndicate network in Canada exhibits small world properties from 1952 to 1990. We then identify the investment bank cliques comprising the network and the 'spanning' ties that cut across them, and test three distinct scenarios that may explain the formation of these ties responsible for the small worldliness of the network: 1) chance partnering of firms in different cliques, 2) insurgent partnering by peripheral firms to improve their network positions, and 3) control partnering by core firms to maintain their positions. All three scenarios played a role in explaining the formation of clique-spanning ties, however, chance and insurgent partnering played a greater role in our empirical setting. Our analysis of how small world structures emerge and evolve over time offers new insight into the origins of a prevalent interfirm network topology, and a baseline for constructing future models of interfirm network evolution and dynamics.

Keywords: small worlds, investment banks, cliques, brokerage

Suggested Citation

Baum, Joel A.C. and Shipilov, Andrew V. and Rowley, Tim, Where Do Small Worlds Come From?. Industrial and Corporate Change, Vol. 12, No. 4, 2003, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1017737

Joel A.C. Baum

University of Toronto - Joseph L. Rotman School of Management ( email )

University of Toronto
105 St. George Street
Toronto, ON, M5S 3E6
Canada
416-978-4914 (Phone)
416-978-4629 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://www.rotman.utoronto.ca/~baum

Andrew V. Shipilov (Contact Author)

INSEAD ( email )

Boulevard de Constance
77305 Fontainebleau
France

Tim Rowley

University of Toronto - Rotman School of Management ( email )

105 St. George Street
Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E6 M5S1S4
Canada

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