Structural holes : the social structure of competition / Ronald S. Burt.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Burt, Ronald S.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Competition--Social aspects.

Competition.

Competition, Imperfect--Social aspects.

Competition, Imperfect.

Entrepreneurship--Social aspects.

Entrepreneurship.

Social networks.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (viii, 313 p. ) ill.

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Cambridge, MA : Harvard University Press, 1992.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

This analysis of the social structural theory of competition focuses on the "structural hole": a gap between two individuals with complementary resources or information. When the two are connected through a third "entrepreneur", the gap is filled, creating important advantages for the entrepreneur.

Ronald Burt describes the social structure theory of competition that has developed through the last two decades. The contrast between perfect competition and monopoly is replaced with a network model of competition. The basic element in this account is the structural hole: a gap between two individuals with complementary resources or information. When the two are connected through a third individual as entrepreneur, the gap is filled, creating important advantages for the entrepreneur. Competitive advantage is a matter of access to structural holes in relation to market transactions.

Contents:

Frontmatter

Contents

Acknowledgments

Introduction

1 The Social Structure of Competition

2 Formalizing the Argument

3 Turning a Profit

4 Getting Ahead

5 Player-Structure Duality

6 Commit and Survive

7 Strategic Embedding and Institutional Residue

Notes

References

Index

Notes:

Originally published: 1992.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

0-674-02909-7

OCLC:

923110863