NETWORK FORMS OF ORGANIZATION

Initial sociological interest in network forms of organization was mot ivated in part by a critique of economic views of organization. Sociol ogists sought to highlight the prevalence and functionality of organiz ational forms that could not be classified as markets or hierarchies. As a result of this work, we now know that network forms of organizati on foster learning, represent a mechanism for the attainment of status or legitimacy, provide a variety of economic benefits, facilitate the management of resource dependencies, and provide considerable autonom y for employees. However, as sociologists move away from critiquing wh at are now somewhat outdated economic views, they need to balance the exclusive focus on prevalence and functionality with attention to cons traint and dysfunctionality. The authors review work that has laid a f oundation for this broader focus and suggest analytical concerns that should guide this literature as it moves forward.