title: Power-use in cooperative competition: a power-dependence model and an empirical test of network structure and geographic mobility.
abstract: Although the social exchange paradigm has produced a vibrant research program, the theoretical tradition is rarely used to model the structure of social networks outside of experiments and simulations. To address this limitation, we derive power-dependence predictions about network structure and geographic mobility-the outcomes of power-use-and test these predictions using complete data on competition networks and travel schedules among amateur sports teams. Poisson regression and exponential random graph models provide strong support for our predictions. The findings illustrate exchange dynamics in which status resources desired by teams, coupled with the availability of geographically proximal alternatives, create power and dependence that dictate where and with whom teams compete. Although evidence supports Georg Simmel's classic proposition that networks form on the basis of values and propinquity, we show that this complex dynamic is conditional on power and dependence. We conclude by discussing implications and directions for future research.
authors.affiliation: Department of Sociology, University of Washington, 211 Savery Hall, Box 353340, Seattle, WA 98195-3340, United States. Electronic address: adduct@uw.edu.
authors.forename: Blaine
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Robbins
authors.affiliation: Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Ohio University, Bentley Annex 162, Athens, OH 45701, United States. Electronic address: welser@ohio.edu.
authors.forename: Howard T
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Welser
authors.affiliation: Department of Sociology, University of Washington, 211 Savery Hall, Box 353340, Seattle, WA 98195-3340, United States. Electronic address: grigorym@uw.edu.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Grigoryeva
authors.affiliation: Department of Sociology, University of Washington, 211 Savery Hall, Box 353340, Seattle, WA 98195-3340, United States. Electronic address: eric.gleave@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gleave
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D009938:Organizations; D011209:Power, Psychological; D012919:Social Behavior; D012944:Social Support; D013177:Sports
keywords: Exponential random graph models; Power-dependence theory; Social exchange theory