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SOCIAL NETWORK ANALYSIS: AN EVALUATION TOOL FOR ORGANIZATIONAL COLLABORATION

Abstract

Social networks play a key role in the flow of information and resources between individuals and organizations. Network analysis can inform the flow of information and resources at a macrosystemic level. The current project involved social network analysis applied at a U.S. state-level to evaluate the level of collaboration between all organizations in Georgia involved in violence and injury prevention. The research team at Georgia State University worked with Georgia Department of Public Health staff to identify a list of all organizations in Georgia eligible for the study. Representatives from eligible organizations completed three surveys across one year that measured collaboration levels between their own organization and others, satisfaction with those collaborations, and products of combined efforts. Results identified key players in the violence prevention network, notably the Georgia Department of Public Health Injury Prevention Program and the Injury Prevention Research Center at Emory University. These organizations acted as major hubs that contacted and collaborated with many smaller organizations. Results also revealed collaborative ties that were weak or nonexistent, thus highlighting areas for growth and future collaboration between organizations. Using social network analysis, sociograms developed from the data helped enlighten the number and strength of collaborations, providing insight to the Georgia State Department of Public Health Injury Prevention Program to identify strengths in relationships between organizations and areas for outreach and growth.

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