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Networking in France. Is there a French School of Social Network Analysis?

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Abstract

Social Network Analysis (SNA) is a sociology based on interaction that visualizes and models relations between actors. Whereas interaction is approached by classical scholars, we had to wait until the 1970s and the birth of computer science to see social networks analysis develop. This article investigates the influence of SNA in France from the 1980s and wonder if there is a French school of SNA? To do so, we first resume social networks history and highlight its contribution to sociology. Second, we analyze the trajectory and profile of five “disciplinary entrepreneurs,” whose role in the field is important as they master three necessary languages for SNA: English, Mathematics and Computer Science. Third, in order to put back those individuals in their social structures, we cross SNA with the different French sociological tradition(s) (according to topics and methods). Last, we wonder if the institutionalization process succeeded in the creation of institutions from which a French SNA would be able to expand?

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Notes

  1. We use this longer definition of SNA: “a structural approach that is based on the study of interaction of social actors [….] (and) is grounded in the intuitive notion that the patterning of social ties in which actors are embedded has important consequences for those actors. Network analysts, then, seek to uncover various kind of patterns. And they try to determine the conditions under which those patterns arise and discover their consequences” (Freeman 2004: 2)

  2. Source: Armand Colin, http://www.armand-colin.com/claude-flament

  3. In France, occupational groups are named PCS, professions and socio-professional categories.

  4. HDR refers to the tenured dissertation in France. After defending HDRs, assistant professor (maître de conferences) can apply to associate professor position (professeur des universités).

  5. Laboratory of secondary analysis and of methods applied to sociology, a research center dedicated to quantitative sociology

  6. Lazega was also inspired by the courses and works of the U.S. sociologists Ronald Burt and Harrison White.

  7. The idea of these relational chains is inspired by Stanley Milgram’s survey on “small worlds” (Milgram 1967).

  8. National institute of demographic studies.

  9. National center of scientific research.

  10. National institute of statistics and economics studies.

  11. French office of economic conjuncture.

  12. French communications were mainly theoretical and concerned diffusion and innovation processes (Ferrand and de Ferrand and Federico 2013).

  13. ‘Excellence laboratory’ is a French legislative framework allowing a large grant to a team of researchers in order to develop international scale works.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Université Paris-Dauphine, PSL Research University, CNRS, UMR [7170], IRISSO, Place du Maréchal de Lattre de Tassigny, 75775, Paris Cedex 16, France

    Elise Penalva-Icher

  2. Université Lille 1, Clersé (UMR CNRS 8019), Bâtiment SH2, 59655, Villeneuve d’Ascq Cedex, France

    Fabien Eloire

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  1. Elise Penalva-Icher
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Correspondence to Elise Penalva-Icher.

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Penalva-Icher, E., Eloire, F. Networking in France. Is there a French School of Social Network Analysis?. Am Soc 48, 382–401 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12108-017-9350-4

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