Peter M. Choi

Date of Award

3-6-2007

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Department of Systems Engineering and Management

First Advisor

Kent C. Halverson, PhD

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to identify how various social network centralities affect a person’s satisfaction level. Simple degree centrality has been utilized to specify an individual’s location in a network by measuring the number of direct links with other members in the organization (Brass & Burkhardt, 1992, 1993). This study examines how location in friendship, task, and avoidance networks affect an individual’s satisfaction with the group. To determine the relationship between social network centrality and work group satisfaction, a longitudinal field study was conducted on 440 active duty enlisted military members in a leadership development training course. While most research has indicated a positive relationship between task or friendship network centrality and satisfaction (Kilduff, Krachardt, 1993), other research suggests otherwise (Brass, 1981). The results of this study are similarly inconclusive. Task centrality only predicted work group satisfaction in one of six time periods, however the relationship was negative. Similarly, friendship network centrality predicted satisfaction in two time period, with a negative relationship. Avoidance network centrality negatively predicted work group satisfaction in two periods. These inconsistent results suggest that the relationship between network position and attitudes such as satisfaction are dynamic. This paper proposes that researchers must not neglect the dynamic nature of social networks as well as the dynamic nature of attitudes, and how they interact to influence individuals within social networks.

AFIT Designator

AFIT-GEM-ENV-07-M2

DTIC Accession Number

ADA467555

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