PubMed · 12464007
The source did not provide an abstract. Follow the original record for more information.
Explore connections, maps & timelines
Christopher D Hogan. Communication overload.. https://doi.org/10.5694/j.1326-5377.2002.tb05026.x
Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.
KEEP EXPLORING
We report on a global social-search experiment in which more than 60,000 e-mail users attempted to reach one of 18 target persons in 13 countries by forwarding messages to acquaintances. We find that successful social search is conducted primarily through intermediate to weak strength ties, does not require highly connected "hubs" to succeed, and, in contrast to unsuccessful social search, disproportionately relies on professional relationships. By accounting for the attrition of message chains, we estimate that social searches can reach their targets in a median of five to seven steps, depending on the separation of source and target, although small variations in chain lengths and participation rates generate large differences in target reachability. We conclude that although global social networks are, in principle, searchable, actual success depends sensitively on individual incentives.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.