Resources, Homophily, and Dependence - Agency Properties and Asymmetric Ties in Human Service Networks

• NCJ Number: 84593
• Author(s): J R Lincoln
• Date Published: 1982
• Length: 45 pages
• Grant Number(s): 80-IJ-CX-0089
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)

Annotation

The paper proposes a modeling strategy for analyzing interorganization dyads which permits estimation of parameters for nodal, dyadic, reciprocity, and autoregression effects. It contends that these methods enable researchers to measure with greater precision specific patterns of interorganizational relations identified by resource dependence and homophily theories.

Abstract

Data on interagency ties in three community-based networks of youth service agencies suggest that size, administrative position, and justice system connections condition the extent to which an agency is a source of influence, assistance, and support in the network. The data also suggest that boundary-spanning ties are denser between agencies with similar treatment ideologies and client racial compositions and that size and justice system access reduce an agency's dependence on the network's administrative core. Study results, 35 references, and footnotes are supplied. (Author abstract modified)