Definitions
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Structural holes
All definitions
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The term "structural hole" comes from Burt's (1992) theory of social structure in the competitive arena. Put simply, a structural hole is the space that separates an individual's non-redundant contacts.
"Non-redundant" means that the contacts either don't have direct contact with one another or have contacts that exclude the other. In other words, for the individual who is connected to both of them, non-redundant contacts represent access to different networks and network benefits. The structural hole that separates non-redundant contacts acts like a buffer or an insulator. Related terms: References Burt, R. S. (1992). Structural Holes: The Social Structure of Competition. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press. Read a practice exam essay in response to the question:
"What are the key features of a relationship approach to career development? How might social and developmental networks benefit individuals in managing their careers?" Exam essay practice answer |
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