Academic article: Locate, read and summarize an academic article that presents a related theory, case example, etc. Draw connections between the ideas in the article and those you read for class.
After reading this week’s assignments, I wondered which specific industries use the practice of social network analysis. Traditional industries plagued my mind like food, gaming, and advertising to name a few. But, I wanted to learn how social network analysis is facilitated on a governmental level. After searching extensively, I came across an article by Memon, Wiil, Alhajj, Atzenbeck, & Harkiolakis (2011) about terrorist social networks.
In comparison to Cross, Borgatti, & Parker (2002) and Hanneman & Riddle (2005), Memon et al. (2011) believes social network analysis tools are very important for understanding behavioral issues. Social network tools like graphs and matrices focus on relationships and not just individual nodes (Hanneman & Riddle, 2005; Memon et al., 2011). By understanding relationships in the form of a graph, Memon et al. (2011) states terrorist organization “analysts can find patterns in the structure, witness the flow of resources through a network, and learn how individuals are influenced by their surroundings” (p. 54).
Visualization of a social network makes it much easier to read and understand the relationships at hand (Cross, Borgatti, & Parker, 2002; Hanneman & Riddle, 2005; Memon et al., 2011). Confusion is set aside and multiple layers can be understood by using a graph or matrix (Hanneman & Riddle, 2005; Memon et al., 2011). In the world of fighting terrorism, relationship graphs are monumental and imperative for predicting subsequent attacks (Memon et al., 2011).
In addition to the many tools mentioned in this week’s readings, Memon et al. (2011) argued that the use of algorithms are crucial for predicting terrorist attacks. These algorithms are funneled into a tool called data mining. Data mining is an investigative tool used “to predict behaviour, assess risk, determine associations, or do other type of analysis” (Memon et al., 2011, p. 56).
Despite how cool data mining sounds, data mining does not accomplish everything needed in order to understand terrorist groups or cells (Memon et al., 2011). Traditional tools mentioned in this week’s readings are used just as much as data mining, if not more (Memon et al. 2011). Memon et al. (2011) affirmed “There are a number of mathematical and algorithmic approaches that can be used in SNA to infer such information, including connectedness and centrality” (p. 58).
Overall, it is nice to learn how social network analysis is put to use for more than organizational practice. Social network analysis techniques and tools can save lives. It’s a powerful realization once you think about it. Managing data can be monotonous, but social network tools make data much easier to collect and comprehend (Hanneman & Riddle, 2005).
References
Cross, R., Borgatti, S., & Parker, A. (2002). Making invisible work visible: Using social network analysis to support strategic
collaboration, California Management Review, 44(2), 25-46.
Hanneman, R., & Riddle, M. (2005). Introduction to social network methods. Riverside, CA: University of California, Riverside.
Memon, N., Wiil, U.K., Alhajj, R., Atzenbeck, C. & Harkiolakis, N. (2011). Harvesting covert networks: A case study of the iMiner database. Int. J. Networking and Virtual Organisations, 8(1), 52–74.
Nice post, Thomas. As you saw, social network analysis within organizations is just the tip of the iceberg. It seems like everyday these techniques are being applied in new and exciting ways. Related to your post, here is a sociogram of the 9/11 terrorist network.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.orgnet.com/hijackers.html
On a lighter note, did you know there are smile clusters on Facebook?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jurvetson/3086478682/
Or that social networks can help people quit smoking?
http://johnbell.typepad.com/weblog/2008/06/social-networks.html
This is very cool, Thomas. I had never thought about social networking to combat terrorism, but after reading this, I can see how it makes sense. The social networking component brings the structure to life, enables us to see patterns and perhaps predict movement within a network. Your post also made me think of the Goodall, Trethewey & McDonald reading (2006). In this reading we learned how important analysis, coordination and alignment are when networking with foreign agencies (Goodall, Trethewey & McDonald, 2006). I wonder if invisible networks in the United Nations exist, and if so, if they have provided valuable networks, diagonal and eliptical lines between key players.
ReplyDeleteGoodall, Trethewey & McDonald (2006). Strategic ambiguity, communication and public diplomacy in and uncertain world: Principals and practices. Consortium for Strategic Communication, 1-14.
Thomas - I'm glad you mentioned this in your comment about my assignment. This is really neat to think about. You say that the article talks about using social network analysis to find out about attacks. I wonder if it does the same to find hidden terrorist cells that may not be known yet. As a side note, I am interested in how Memon et al. (2011) evaluate how an individual is effected by surroundings. It suggests that peer pressure is one reason for terrorist activity. It makes sense, but it is a little scary too!
ReplyDeleteVery, very cool. I like how you thought out of the box on this and applied it to something that has crossed everybody's minds at one point or another. I remember seeing network maps on TV after 9/11, linking people in Yemon, to people in Afghanistan, to people in Germany. I can only imagine how large and complicated the network map must be. I wonder how many overlapping players exist? And how many people belong to multiple organizations? This is a great post.
ReplyDelete