ABSTRACT
In this chapter, we explore four theoretical perspectives that further our understanding of social networks. These perspectives are: structuralism (i.e., the existence of a tie and what that means), social capital (i.e., what ties can bring to an actor), sensemaking (i.e., how ties shape the understanding of actors), and identity (i.e., perceived characteristics of actors and how those influence networks). Perspectives are a useful means to focus on particular aspects and to consider possibilities for why the network has formed in a particular fashion. Each perspective is discussed using canonical literature and studies. We use a hypothetical department undergoing change to further explore these perspectives. Through this scenario, we describe how each perspective highlights particular challenges and helps develop practical solutions to overcome these challenges.
