Core networks and tie activation: What kinds of routine networks allocate resources in nonroutine situations?

Social resources research has linked activated ties to outcomes-but not to the core networks from which the ties came. This study shifts the focus to the question of how networks allocate resources. The activation of core net work lies is analyzed in a nonroutine situation-a hurricane-to determine ho w core network structure affects the degree to which individuals activate c ore network ties to gain one type of social resource-informal support. Resu lts show that the structures of individuals' core networks affect the degre e to which individuals activate ties from those networks to gain informal s upport. Individuals embedded in higher-density core networks (i.e., alters are connected to one another), core networks with more gender diversity (i. e., a mix of men and women), and networks that contain higher proportions o f men, kin, and younger individuals, activated core network lies for inform al support To a greater degree than did individuals embedded in core networ ks lacking these characteristics. The conclusions consider the study's impl ications for understanding resource activation in the contexts of social su pport and job searches.