Ties that last: Tie formation and persistence in research collaborations over time

Linus Dahlander, Daniel A. McFarland

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

262 Citations (SciVal)

Abstract

Using a longitudinal dataset of research collaborations over 15 years at Stanford University, we build a theory of intraorganizational task relationships that distinguishes the different factors associated with the formation and persistence of network ties. We highlight six factors: shared organizational foci, shared traits and interests, tie advantages from popularity, tie reinforcement from third parties, tie strength and multiplexity, and the instrumental returns from the products of ties. Findings suggest that ties form when unfamiliar people identify desirable and matching traits in potential partners. By contrast, ties persist when familiar people reflect on the quality of their relationship and shared experiences. The former calls for shallow, short-term strategies for assessing a broad array of potential ties; the latter calls for long-term strategies and substantive assessments of a relationship's worth so as to draw extended rewards from the association. This suggests that organizational activities geared toward sustaining persistent intraorganizational task relationships need to be different from activities aimed at forging new ones.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)69-110
Number of pages42
JournalAdministrative Science Quarterly
Volume58
Issue number1
Early online date16 Jan 2013
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 25 Apr 2013

Keywords

  • Long-term ties
  • Network ties
  • Research collaborations
  • Task relationships
  • Tie formation
  • Tie persistence

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous)
  • Sociology and Political Science
  • Public Administration

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Ties that last: Tie formation and persistence in research collaborations over time'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this