Publication Type

Journal Article

Version

acceptedVersion

Publication Date

4-2024

Abstract

Growing interest in network dynamics has led to insights about patterns of network change, drivers of tie formation, and the temporal unfolding of the consequences of networks. To this area of inquiry, we introduce networking speed – the time it takes for individuals to form a network tie – as an important but so far largely overlooked aspect. We develop a theory of networking speed that explains how different catalysts enable professionals to introduce variation into the speed with which they form interpersonal network ties. We discuss how such variation in the speed with which ties have been formed influences relational outcomes and the network returns that these ties generate. This discussion illustrates that high networking speed can entail advantages as well as pitfalls. We also explore temporal implications of networking speed, for instance the persistence of the effects of speed over time. Overall, we conceptualize networking speed as a constitutive element of how interpersonal networks function in professional settings and propose a future research program for the integration of this novel concept into organizational network research.

Keywords

tie formation, networking speed, catalysts, network dynamics, professional networks, interpersonal networks

Discipline

Organizational Behavior and Theory | Strategic Management Policy

Research Areas

Strategy and Organisation

Publication

Journal of Management

Volume

50

Issue

4

First Page

1230

Last Page

1258

ISSN

0149-2063

Identifier

10.1177/01492063221132483

Publisher

SAGE Publications

Copyright Owner and License

Authors

Additional URL

https://doi.org/10.1177/01492063221132483

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