Gaps in Information Access in Social Networks

The study of influence maximization in social networks has largely ignored disparate effects these algorithms might have on the individuals contained in the social network. Individuals may place a high value on receiving information, e.g. job openings or advertisements for loans. While well-connected individuals at the center of the network are likely to receive the information that is being distributed through the network, poorly connected individuals are systematically less likely to receive the information, producing a gap in access to the information between individuals. In this work, we study how best to spread information in a social network while minimizing this access gap. We propose to use the maximin social welfare function as an objective function, where we maximize the minimum probability of receiving the information under an intervention. We prove that in this setting this welfare function constrains the access gap whereas maximizing the expected number of nodes reached does not. We also investigate the difficulties of using the maximin, and present hardness results and analysis for standard greedy strategies. Finally, we investigate practical ways of optimizing for the maximin, and give empirical evidence that a simple greedy-based strategy works well in practice.Comment: Accepted at The Web Conference 201

Social Innovation, Gender, and Technology: Bridging the Resource Gap

Some of the most important resources are intangible, such as knowledge and access to networks. In the developing world, technology can facilitate these resources and address basic human needs in a variety of ways: from provision of farmer training and cloud-controlled clean water systems to health information and mobile money services. Some of these services expand access to resources in ways that particularly benefit women. In environments where women are disadvantaged socially and economically, information and communications technologies (ICT) can enable women to access valuable information, consider a broader range of business opportunities, access wider markets, partake in educational programs, and share experiences with and gain mentorship from other women. However, there are large gender gaps in the access to technology, particularly in rural areas. To begin, I briefly discuss the role of technology in development, and consider the extent and significance of technology gender gaps. Next, I review key barriers to reducing these gaps, and discuss the concept of social innovation as it applies to technology interventions. Examples from five social innovations in India — a country with large technology gender gaps — illustrate the range of possibilities for innovative access to and use of ICT for diverse target groups. I conclude with some suggestions for further improvement in this area

The process of knowledge acquisition through interpersonal communication in the "Parents as first teachers" programme : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Management in Communication Management at Massey University

Communication researchers interested in the role played by knowledge in social terms have produced a variety of explorations in recent times of "knowledge gaps" and informational inequities between various groups in society. More broadly, studies of the significance of issues of relative access to information and thus ability to participate in civil society have been described as the sociology of knowledge. Arising out of an interest in documenting successful strategies in bridging knowledge gaps, the present study aimed to explore an information programme called Parents As First Teachers (PAFT), which operates on the basis of a one­ to-one relationship between informationally needy individuals (parents of newborn infants) and trained experts in parenting matters. This arrangement continues monthly for three years. It seemed likely that this information programme could present an example of an effective receiver-focused model of bridging knowledge gaps. A series of 22 in-depth interviews was conducted with parent and educator participants in the PAFT programme in Auckland, New Zealand. In addition, observation was carried out of the hour-long monthly home visits so that a detailed picture could be obtained of the significance of the interpersonal relationship between parent and educator for effective learning. Transcripts of interviews were analysed using a coding protocol developed on the basis of the research objectives. The study found limited support for the contentions of extant information poverty literature in regard to self-imposed isolation and avoiding disclosing problems. Interviewees preferred to isolate themselves within their neighbourhoods, but they did seek information via family and social networks. They were also highly motivated in regard to seeking the best for their children, and it is possible that motivation in this instance has been a more powerful factor in knowledge acquisition than education, often used as a predictor of response to informational need. The significance of this study is in its detailed presentation of the information world of the insider, and the support the data give for a situational approach to knowledge gaps. It signals that there is a definite role for a close and trusting interpersonal relationship between source and receiver in the knowledge acquisition process. Two key areas for follow-up studies are the role played by interpersonal communication networks in disseminating knowledge beyond the original knowledge exchange context, and whether the strong motivation observed in the parents interviewed for this research was attributable to the PAFT programme itself or was a characteristic already present in participants

On genomics, kin, and privacy

The storage of greater numbers of exomes or genomes raises the question of loss of privacy for the individual and for families if genomic data are not properly protected. Access to genome data may result from a personal decision to disclose, or from gaps in protection. In either case, revealing genome data has consequences beyond the individual, as it compromises the privacy of family members. Increasing availability of genome data linked or linkable to metadata through online social networks and services adds one additional layer of complexity to the protection of genome privacy.  The field of computer science and information technology offers solutions to secure genomic data so that individuals, medical personnel or researchers can access only the subset of genomic information required for healthcare or dedicated studies

Information Needs and Access among Women in Sagnerigu District of Northern Region, Ghana

The aim of this study was to assess the information needs, sources and the challenges of information access among women in Sagnerigu district in Northern Ghana. Data was collected through questionnaire and interviews from 150 women participants in different geographical zones in the district. The study discovered that majority of women in the Sagnerigu district often need information that is related to agriculture, health and family planning issues. However, it was clear from the analysis that, the women do not have access to the required information that would alleviate poverty among them. There were two critical access gaps between the women with formal education and those without formal education. For their information needs, majority of the women trusted interpersonal networks which they are comfortable with such as family, friends, neighbours and social groupings as against formal sources of information such as internet and the newspapers which are less reliable and used. It was also revealed that access to information by women is affected by lack of skills, financial resources and the existence of rural and urban differences as well as gender and other inequalities. The study suggested the establishment of information systems and centres such as libraries, internet, information and communication technology centres by integrating it into a wider educational programmes in the district

Networks and coalitions in the implementation of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture in Uganda

Uganda acceded to the International Treaty for Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGTFA) in the year 2003. Despite this, there are still gaps in implementation of the treaty in the country. The article provides insights into the systemic interactions and coalitions among actors in the implementation of the treaty and subsequent barriers to the implementation of the ITPGRFA. Using social network analysis, the interactions of 26 key policy actors are mapped for 4 main expertise networks that are important for implementation of the treaty; that is, the policy direction networks; scientific expertise; financial expertise; and legal networks in order to identify gaps for further action. Findings indicate that the linkages between actors are poor especially in the legal expertise and policy direction networks where the competent authority for the treaty does not have efficient connections with critical and non-critical actors. Many key actors are also excluded from the network leading poor information and resource flows among stakeholders implementing the treaty. In the interim, a memorandum of understanding has been signed by three major institutions that are key to establish clear processes for implementation of the treaty and establishing clear guidelines for access and benefit sharing and clear roles of institutions involved in the policy development and implementation. Key lessons learned from this research are that networks and coalitions are important for fostering information and exchange of expertise to enable effective implementation or domestication of the international treaty (IT). The structured engagement of other non-governmental stakeholders such as non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and international organizations that provide financial and technical support for various aspects of policy implementation is also important

Transnational Misinformation Experiences Amongst Migrants

Migrants have different information experiences across migration stages. Barriers to information access (e.g., language, bureaucratic, etc.) may push migrants to consult their digital social networks or digital media that transcends geographic boundaries. The use of transnational sources may make migrants more susceptible to misinformation due to bias, which may in turn impact their quality of life in their new countries. Conversely, literature has shown that the power of comparison across these digital ecologies may mitigate against the impacts of misinformation. By understanding how migrants drawing on transnational sources experience misinformation, we will be able to better support them across settlement stages. This research-in-progress article will examine the literature on migrants’ information experiences and use of transnational sources. It will then identify gaps in our knowledge about the impact of the use of transnational sources on misinformation experiences. Finally, it will lay out agenda for future research

HOW ORGANIZATIONAL TURBULENCE SHAPES THE BROKER VISION ADVANTAGE

Research on social networks has established that those who bridge the gaps between dense social groups (i.e. structural holes) are granted a “vision advantage” compared to those who are embedded in dense groups. A common explanation for the advantage is that bridging a structural hole provides the broker with access to diverse information. What is less clear is how this process performs when the organizational context is turbulent. I propose that in a turbulent organizational context, when the organization is experiencing dramatic changes, employees benefit less from building a repertoire of diverse information and instead benefit more from adopting socially distant information. Information discussed by members of the organization which are several steps away from an employee would be more valuable in a turbulent context. Socially distant information would be more rare as people become rigid in response to threat, and it would be more relevant as local information becomes obsolete. To explore this idea, I study the case of two large organizations undergoing a merger integration. The members of the higher-status, acquiring organization experience relative stability compared to members of the target firm, who experience a great deal more uncertainty. The higher-status firm dominated the merger, the top management of the target firm was replaced, supervisory structures are changed, employees are forced to develop new routines, learn new technologies, and had to uproot their social support networks and move across the country. This case provides an opportunity to examine how two information flow mechanisms, which mediate the relationship between broker positions and individual career benefits, are altered in the presence of organizational turbulence. I measure information variance and the adoption of socially distant information of 612 organizational members by fitting a topic model on a dataset of email content covering a 14-month period immediately following the merger of two large consumer product firms. I test my hypotheses using a latent difference score model to test the impacts of increases in information variance, constraint, and adoption of socially distant information on increases in employee salary. I find that organizational turbulence alters the ways in which information flows provides benefits. Within turbulent contexts the pathways between access to diverse information and improved career outcomes are destroyed. Instead adopting socially distant information and information associated with power and status provides more benefits to the individual than incrementally improving a repertoire of diverse information. This study contributes to research on M&As, organizational change, and social network theory by expanding our understanding of the impact of organizational turbulence on the information mechanisms driving advantage in open networks

The mediating role of entrepreneurial leadership: an investigation of the competitiveness of SMEs in the UK South-West food and drink manufacturing

ABSTRACT It has long been argued that Social Capital, a concept represented by the value embedded in the social relationships of individuals or collectives constitute strategic resources for individuals and organisations. Social networks are thus perceived by businesses, particularly small and medium enterprises, as a means to access those resources, for example gaining privileged access to strategic information that could secure financial resources. In reality, and because of the inherent characteristics of Social Capital, entrepreneurs or business owner/managers who effectively use resources available within social networks are driven by a clear and compelling vision and sustained by a set of leadership attributes which are in line with the process of recognising, evaluating and exploiting opportunities. This study reinforces the concept of Entrepreneurship as a multi-social construct. Using survey data from 359 SMEs in UK South West food and drink manufacturing, this study uses a structural equation model to evaluate the relationships of interdependence between Social Capital, Leadership and Entrepreneurship Process. The mediating role of leadership in this interaction first, explains the relationship between Social Capital and Entrepreneurship Process and second, exposes the entrepreneurial behaviour common among SW food and drink manufacturers as the underlying explanatory factor of the competitiveness. Notwithstanding the prevalence of social networks, the level of brokerage appears to be very concentrated on closed networks with providers of professional services and local associations. This inadequate level of brokerage heightens the existence of structural holes which points to a situation of ‘over-socialisation’ suggesting that social norms prescribe economic action. The lack of appropriate market knowledge among ii owners/managers of small medium enterprises in the UK South West food and drink manufacturing frustrates the formulation of a comprehensive vision, in spite of the fact that values of ‘hard work’, ‘continued improvement’ and ‘ambition are largely shared among them. The main findings contribute toward a better understanding of Social Capital as distinct from social networks and the leadership role in business competitiveness. It makes a significant contribution to the debate on the integration of individual and environmental perspectives as a direction of future research on the understanding of Entrepreneurship. The study implications address policy-makers and business managers in filling the skills and knowledge gaps which are restraining the competitiveness of SMEs in this important and strategic sectorself-sponsore