Social Networks Analysis in Accounting and Finance
Posted: 11 Dec 2019 Last revised: 25 Sep 2022
Date Written: September 23, 2022
Abstract
Social network analysis (SNA) examines whether interactions between individuals, teams, and organizations result in network structures and patterns that can explain important outcomes, including firm performance, management reporting behaviors, investor beliefs, and audit outcomes. This paper reviews the growing body of work on SNA in accounting and finance research, focusing on 162 articles published between 2000 and 2021, and offers a roadmap that may help move this literature forward. Our survey summarizes the elements of SNA, organizes this literature within a theoretical framework, and provides a thematic discussion of the context and contribution of the selected studies. We also discuss opportunities and challenges for future research. Finally, we include an empirical illustration of the key concepts and tools of SNA. We believe that SNA will continue to offer an interesting avenue for conducting high-impact and cross-disciplinary research in accounting and finance.
Accepted at Contemporary Accounting Research
Full text available: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/share/44DTSTUDAAKVX5XBP4DZ?target=10.1111/1911-3846.12826
Keywords: social network analysis, networks, board interlocks, corporate links, social capital, literature review
JEL Classification: M4, M40, M41, M42, M49
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation