The Social Capital Imperative: Revealing, Developing, and Leveraging Organizational Networks

A new book from the SIOP Professional Practice Book Series provides the latest information on a timely topic in I-O psychology: social capital.

The Social Capital Imperative: Revealing, Developing, and Leveraging Organizational Networks was edited by SIOP Member Kristin L. Cullen-Lester and Greg Pryor.

Social capital—the resources and goodwill of network contacts—can be activated to enhance employees’ performance, leadership effectiveness, careers, and overall organizational functioning. This book will help practitioners generate the momentum needed to move from revealing insights using network analysis to taking action (developing or leveraging) networks to create a positive impact in organizations. It also provides tips and tricks for avoiding common traps that often derail the application of network science in organizations.

“To effectively address modern workplace challenges, it is imperative that practitioners add the social capital lens to the heritage human capital lens, which has been a hallmark of I-O psychology,” Cullen-Lester said. “We hope this book serves as a ‘beacon and blueprint’ by making a compelling case for revealing, developing, and leveraging organizational networks and offering guiding principles for applying network science within organizations.”

Throughout the book, readers will be introduced to foundational knowledge in network science and get a deep dive into nine key application areas (including research review and applied case chapters) demonstrating the wide-ranging benefits of revealing, developing, and leveraging networks within organizations.

Additional SIOP members involved in this book include Members Katelyn Cavanaugh, Donna Chrobot-Mason, Eric Middleton, Scott Hines, Michael Hoffman, Lauren Blackwell Landon, Cynthia Maupin, Alison O’Malley, Semin Park, and Caitlin Porter; Associate member Cody Martin; Student members Caton Weinberger, Laura Bauer, and Ashley Pearson; and Affiliate Michael Campbell.

Books in the SIOP Professional Practice Book Series use evidence-based practices to solve pressing talent management issues. Use the code ASPROMP8 to receive a 30% discount.