Network Investment and Competition with Access-to-Bypass

This paper examines firms' incentive to make irreversible investments under an open access policy with stochastically growing demand. Using a simple model, we derive an access-to-bypass equilibrium. Analysis of the equilibrium confirms that the introduction of competition in network industries makes a firm's incentive to make investments greater than those of a monopolist. We then show that a change in access charges induces a trade-off in social welfare. That is, a decrease in the access charge expands a social benefit flow in the access duopoly, and deters not only the introduction of a new network facility, but also a positive network externality generated by the construction of an additional bypass network. The feasibility of the socially optimal investment timing is then discussedOpen access policy, Investment, Real options, Network facility, Access charge

Introduction to Network Analysis of Digital and Social Media Minitrack

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Measuring social capital and innovation in poor agricultural communities: The case of Cháparra, Peru

In the last decades substantive advance has been made in the measurement and understanding of frontier innovation in highly industrialized settings. However, little research focused on the process of learning and the introduction of novelties in smallholder farming of poor agricultural communities. Considering that 1.5 billion people in developing countries live in such smallholder households this is an essential shortcoming. In addressing three crucial questions about the measurement and promotion of endogenous local development this paper contributes to close this research gap. The three questions are: a) how can we measure social capital and innovation in poor agricultural communities, b) what is the impact of external agents on local structures and c) what are the relations between the social capital and the innovative performance of the farmer. In a first step a comprehensive questionnaire with 89 questions on diverse dimensions of social capital and innovation has been elaborated and applied to the agricultural valley of Cháparra in the South of Peru. The results allow for an indepth analysis of the capabilities, network position and innovative behavior of the farmers. In a second step, we apply social network analysis techniques to analyze the role and position of the relevant actors in the local as well as in the external technical information networks with a special focus on the influence of an external NGO. The analysis reveals a deep structural impact of the NGO and significant correlations between the network position of the farmers and their innovative performance. Three crucial issues for research on smallholder innovation are identified. First, diverse dimensions of social capital and innovation have to be differentiated when studying endogenous development. Second, it has to be assessed to which degree the modification of the existing social structures by external agents can be harmful or beneficial. Third, social network analysis can help us to gain a better understanding of the complex relations between social capital and innovation and how these can contribute to foster sustainable development projects. --social capital,innovation,smallholders,Cháparra,Peru,network analysis

A Network Perspective of Economic Relations and Markets

A review of the research literature applying social network analy­ sis to different aspects of economics (markets, firms and economic organiza­ tions, policies and public administration) will be presented. The review will specifically explore the contributions that network analysis has made to the investigation of market relations and interactions between firms either at the level of whole economies or regional areas globalization (chapters 3 and 4), entrepreneurship and social development (chapter 4) and finally, contem­ porary transformation of economic relations and technological innovation (chapter 5). The introduction describes the methodological perspective of social network analysis and specifically its application to economic and histo­rical sources.A review of the research literature applying social network analy­ sis to different aspects of economics (markets, firms and economic organiza­ tions, policies and public administration) will be presented. The review will specifically explore the contributions that network analysis has made to the investigation of market relations and interactions between firms either at the level of whole economies or regional areas globalization (chapters 3 and 4), entrepreneurship and social development (chapter 4) and finally, contem­ porary transformation of economic relations and technological innovation (chapter 5). The introduction describes the methodological perspective of social network analysis and specifically its application to economic and histo­rical sources

Identity and Relations within Society: The Greek Experience in Australia.

This paper is both introduction to and review of sociological insights that have contributed to understanding social dynamics that give definition to the social modelling of the Greek family in Australia. The paper concentrates on first generation Greek-born migrants and their children. It will explain the use of network analysis that has been researched for the Greek community in Australia. Network analysis will then be compared to systems theory. The comparison favours the relevance of network analysis in making social sense of migrant family structure in Australia

Socio-Economic Impact Of Social Ties On Community Care For Older Australians

Mounting pressure on government expenditure, from the needs of an ageing population, has led to the introduction of the Home and Community Care (HACC) programme, based upon the self-reliance principle. This programme may, however, disadvantage certain groups, as its success depends, in part on the informal support from family and friends. It is essential, therefore that we examine older Australians individual characteristics to help explain the levels of informal care and support presently available, as represented by the social network. Using a regression analysis of the information collected from 401 non-institutionalised older Gold Coast residents sampled in a household survey conducted in 1999, we test two hypotheses: 1. gender, education and household type explain levels of social network accessed by older people; 2. older males are more vulnerable than older females to the social network effect of living alone. Based on the findings of our study, we have concerns about the accessibility of the informal care and support (from family and friends) available for older men living alone as the level of the social network was the lowest for this group of older Australians.

Exploration of the integration of care for persons with a traumatic brain injury using social network analysis methodology

Introduction: Integration is a popular strategy to increase the quality of care within systems of care. However, there is no common language, approach or tool allowing for a valid description, comparison and evaluation of integrated care. Social network analysis could be a viable methodology to provide an objective picture of integrated networks. Goal of the article: To illustrate social network analysis use in the context of systems of care for traumatic brain injury. Method: We surveyed members of a network using a validated questionnaire to determine the links between them. We determined the density, centrality, multiplexity, and quality of the links reported. Results: The network was described as moderately dense (0.6), the most prevalent link was knowledge, and four organisation members of a consortium were central to the network. Social network analysis allowed us to create a graphic representation of the network. Conclusion: Social network analysis is a useful methodology to objectively characterise integrated networks

An evaluation of professional networks, co-ordination, cooperation and collaboration in the West Midlands Paediatric Palliative Care Network

Introduction: This is a report on Strand 3 of the Big Study, which studied the West Midlands Paediatric Palliative Care Network. The Big Study was funded by The Big Lottery Fund and Strand 3 of the Big Study was researched by the Centre for Nursing and Healthcare Research in the School of Health and Social Care at the University of Greenwich. 1.1 Background: The West Midlands Paediatric Palliative Care Network began as an interest group which started in the year 2000, with 6 to 10 members and grew. At one stage it was allied to the Birmingham Cancer Network and funded by the NHS Strategic Health Authority and at this stage it became more representative of services and West Midlands geography. It has existed in its current format, as a voluntary clinical network to promote paediatric palliative care and share best practice since 2009. The membership is wide and inclusive which means 30 to 40 people may attend the meetings which are held on a bimonthly basis and are hosted and supported charitably. Subgroups are now used to manage work in specific areas e.g. transition or clinical standards. There are links to other related networks with reciprocal membership and informal links to NHS commissioners who may seek advice. 1.2 Scope: This strand of the Big Study focused on the West Midlands Paediatric Palliative Care Network. The geographical area of the West Midlands Paediatric Palliative Care Network includes Birmingham, Coventry, The Black Country, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Solihull, Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Telford and Wrekin, Warwickshire and Worcestershire. All members of the WMPCCN and the organisations they represent were included in the study. Both NHS and non-NHS organisations offering clinical services to any children requiring palliative care were represented. Excluded from this study was the detailed examination of any of the other networks, e.g. children’s speciality networks or networks covering smaller geographical areas, to which members belonged. 1.3 Report: This report will present the results of an analysis of the responses to an online questionnaire and Social Network data from semi structured telephone interviews. This data was collected during the period February to June 2012. The approach included analysing the online survey data in order to understand the benefits and constraints of the network for individual members and Social Network Analysis of data derived from telephone interviews to explore the flow of knowledge, communication and information within the network. This report will consist of 3 different sections, with Section 1 focusing on children’s palliative care policy, the development of clinical networks and social network analysis concepts. Section 2 will focus on the research design and methods. Section 3 presents the results of the study and the final section provides a summary and conclusions of the analysis