While both strong and weak ties have their place in social networks, which type better supports team collaboration and problem solving?
Using Network Modeling to Predict Traffic
A team of researchers from MIT and Notre Dame are using an innovative modeling approach to predict the flow of traffic. This new model takes into account potential changes that may occur in the network (eg. construction or road closures), and is better able to deal with such changes than previous versions of the model. In the future, similar models could be applied to any network flows that include human choices.
“This work fills a gaping hole in our understanding of — and ability to predict — network flows,” says Stephen Eubank of the Network Dynamics and Simulation Science Lab.
For the full article, see here.
CANCELLED: Prasad Balkundi to present in the SONIC Speaker Series Nov. 18
Due to the adverse weather, this talk has unfortunately been cancelled.
SONIC Lab is proud to welcome Prasad Balkundi who will present a talk on Tuesday, November 18, 2014 at 2:00 P.M. in SONIC Lab in the Frances Searle Building room 1.459.
All are welcome to attend. To schedule a one-on-one meeting with a Dr. Balkundi please schedule a time here. Please contact Nancy McLaughlin with any questions/comments.
Culture, Labor Markets and Attitudes: A Meta-analytic Test of Tie-Strength Theory
Although the strength-of-weak-tie theory is foundational in social network research, studies have reported inconsistent results sometimes supporting the weak tie theory and other times contradicting it. To address these inconsistencies, we explicate three boundaries of weak-tie theory: Culture, labor markets and outcomes. First, the theory was developed and tested extensively in western nations, raising the issue of whether cultural context affects outcomes. Second, the theory was tested using lower-level applicants finding jobs across organizations, raising the issue as to the applicability of the theory for job movement within organizations for high-ranking employees. Third, beyond the question of finding a job, the question arises as to strength-of-tie effects on a broader set of outcomes such as access to information and job attitudes. Based on a meta-analysis of 101 studies (n = 23,303) we found that strong ties were more potent than weak ties in conformist cultures. Second, strong ties within the organization were more beneficial than weak ties. Also, managers benefitted more from strong ties. Third, strong ties facilitated immediate effectiveness and positive job attitudes whereas weak ties enhanced distal effectiveness for low-end employees.
About Prasad Balkundi
Dr. Prasad Balkundi is an Associate Professor in the Organization and Human Resources Department in the School of Management at the University of Buffalo. He received his Ph.D. in business administration from Pennsylvania State University. His research interests include social networks and leadership in teams and his work has appeared in the Academy of Management Journal, Academy of Management Review, Journal of Applied Psychology and Leadership Quarterly.
Computer Model Predicts Where Ebola is Most Likely to Hit Next
Using Wolfram technologies, Dr Marco Thiel from Aberdeen University created a computer model to predict which countries are most likely to suffer an Ebola outbreak next.
He said: “The US would be less at risk than the European countries, that is, it would get significant numbers of infected later. All of that seems to be qualitatively quite correct. Australia and Greenland would get the disease very late, or not at all, again in agreement with our model.”
Read more here. For a more in-depth look, see Dr. Thiel’s discussion on the Wolfram forum here.
Dylan Walker to Speak at NICO Seminar Nov. 5
Facebook’s ‘Voter Megaphone’ in National Election
Some facts first:
- It’s the most wide-open Senate and Governor election in a decade;
- Young people (Facebook user base) are more Democratic but less likely to get out to vote;
- There is a strong social influence and peer pressure in social networks.
Tomorrow, Facebook’s high-profile button that proclaims “I’m Voting” or “I’m a Voter” will remind its 150 million users to get out and vote. This may be a deciding factor in the close race. Moreover, what is hidden is that Facebook also takes this as an experiment to study how to affect users’ voting behavior. In the future, social media could offer political campaign services besides traditional marketing and advertising businesses.
More information at http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2014/10/can-voting-facebook-button-improve-voter-turnout
SONIC is proud to welcome visiting scholar Silvia Andreoli
SONIC happily welcomes Silvia Andreoli, visiting scholar from University of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Noshir Contractor presented SONIC research at Cornell University’s Information Science Colloquium co-sponsored by Yahoo! on October 15, 2014
For more information, see here
Now Hiring Undergraduate Researchers!
To apply, please email the contact for each position with your resume and a paragraph on your interest in the position.
MTS Research Assistant
As a Research Aide at Noshir Contractor’s SONIC Lab, you will assist graduate researchers on a wide array of Communications and Engineering projects. While our largest study, the Multi-Team Systems Experiment (MTS), will require a large portion of your focus, you are encouraged to get to know other lab members and become involved in other projects as well. Please set up a time to meet with us and learn more about what we do!
This position is open to all students, freshman-senior level. Pay rate is variable depending on standing and experience. Links to the tiered positions are provided below. You are encouraged to apply for the highest level position for which you feel qualified (i.e. you don’t have to be a Junior to apply for the “Research Aide 3” position).
QUALIFICATIONS:
Must be an NU undergraduate student with a Federal Work-Study allotment for the 2014-15 academic year.
Interest in field under study; some clerical experience, typing ability, and familiarity with the library preferred. Highly conscientious, hard worker. Well-versed in Microsoft Office suite. Interest in research is absolutely necessary. Some experience working with data.
CONTACT NAME: Eric Forbush
CONTACT PHONE NUMBER: 847-491-2104
CONTACT EMAIL: eric.forbush@northwestern.edu
Privacy Leaks: Snapchat
After Apple’s celebrity photo leaks, now it comes to everyone. CNN Money reported that numerous third-party apps like SaveSnap, SnapBox and SnapSpy offer to save incoming photos. And some of them got hacked. We are back to the square one of network security: usability vs. privacy.
How to protect personal communication in an open network environment? Snapchat’s business model has a big challenge.
Moreover, Snapchat Stories has been introduced last week.