Brokerage and Closure: An Introduction to Social Capital

by Ronald S. Burt

Almost everything that happens in a firm flows through informal networks builts by advice, coordination, cooperation, friendship, gossip, knowledge, and trust. In this book, Ron Burt builds upon his celebrated work on network analyses to explain how these informal networks functions and the
role of network entrepreneurs who have amassed social capital. Burt shows that social capital is a critical element in business strategy. Who has it, how it works and how to develop it have become key questions as markets, organizations and careers become more and more dependent on informal
discretionary relationships. Informal relations have always mattered. What is new is the range of activities in which they now matter, and the emerging clarity we have about how they create advantage for certain people at the expense of others. This advantage is created by brokerage and closure.
Brokerage is the activity of people who live at the intersecting of social worlds, who can see and develope good ideas. Closure is the tightening of coordination on a closed network of people. Brokerage and Closure explores how these elements work together to define social capital, showing how in
the business world reputation has come to replace authority and reward has come to be associated with achieving competitive advantage in a social order of continuous disequilibrium.

Genres: Nonfiction, Education, Economics, Business, Sociology

296 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Vaughn · Rating 5 out of 5]

i already think ron burt is brilliant for understanding the value of the interstices between subentities in a larger structure. what sealed the deal here was that burt used an epigram from the tao te ching and cited it from ursula le guin's left hand of darkness.

[Guy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The concept of "structural holes" defined as absent relationships within an organization is suggestive as to the utility of this work.
This book I keep close at hand.

[Spencer · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting book, with evidence backing up good and useful ideas about the way communication in a variety of settings tends to be structured. It would be much better and more approachable if it weren't written in thick, academic language.

[Rita Shaffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book for class and, although dense and in some parts confusing, it really made me think about interaction with others, especially my professional interactions.