Title
The Prince and the Pauper: Search and Brokerage in the Initiation of Status-Heterophilous Ties
Abstract
We combine structural hole theory with performance feedback theory to identify determinants of partner selection in networks. Specifically, we examine how a brokerage position coupled with aspiration--performance gaps affects an organization's propensity to initiate ties to partners of different status. We find that organizations in brokerage positions are more likely than nonbrokers to initiate such ties systematically. However, when the performance of an organization in a brokerage position deviates from its aspirations, the organization changes its partner selection strategy and starts initiating ties to partners of similar status. Our results also suggest that organizations in brokerage positions set social and historical aspiration levels differently from nonbrokers, levels that in turn affect decisions about partner selection.
Year
DOI
Venue
2011
10.1287/orsc.1100.0594
Organization Science
Keywords
Field
DocType
historical aspiration level,partner selection strategy,similar status,performance feedback theory,brokerage position,status-heterophilous ties,brokerage position deviate,performance gap,different status,ties systematically,partner selection,network analysis,economic sociology
Public relations,Economic sociology,Marketing,Performance feedback,Business
Journal
Volume
Issue
ISSN
22
6
1047-7039
Citations 
PageRank 
References 
4
0.56
5
Authors
3
Name
Order
Citations
PageRank
Andrew V. Shipilov1283.07
Stan Xiao Li2437.50
Henrich R. Greve39412.06