Structural holes are the lack of connectedness between one’s friends. Burt  argued that structural holes are significant in our social life. When one’s network is rich in structural holes, there is a positive outcome. However, the theory by Burt assumes that structural holes are the cause of positive outcome and that it is possible for one to manipulate the structural holes in his/her network.

Burt is right. Structural holes do lead to success. A good example is a manager in a company that provides different services to different companies. The manager has ties with other managers from all other companies but all those managers do not necessarily have ties with each other. In my view, this single manager can have access to various valuable information from different sources. He/she can also act as a mediator between the managers in this circle at a gain.

The view that someone who tends to possess large amounts of structural holes tends to have certain personality characteristics like being open minded. Considering my above example, being a manager in a service providing company enables one to interact and build ties with many other people in the course of work. One does not necessarily have to possess any specific personal characteristics to become the manager of such a company. It is all about getting the chance to be the manager. A manager who has many structural holes is not necessarily open-minded but it is the managerial position that has provided the manager with the chance to build the structural holes.

Another view that someone who tends to possess large amount of structural holes tends to occupy social positions (for example, a job that require contact with different organizations, or having middle-class background) which is associated with success.  My above example is a good presentation of this view. The manager has a social position and is in contact with many organizations. Being in a social position allows one to relate with different many people who do not necessarily have ties. This presents one with the chance of acquiring many structural holes.

In the three scenarios above, the view that someone who tends to possess large amounts of structural holes tends to have certain personality characteristics is the least plausible. There is no specific personal characteristic that allows one to interact and build ties with other people. In addition, people have different personal characteristics which stills allow them to interact with others. People who possess large amounts of structural holes have been presented with the ideal chance of doing so.

To some extent, one can manipulate the social networks to maximize structural holes. Take the above example. The manager can be able to obtain information from the other managers. It is possible for the manager to utilize such information in acquiring new ties with other people. By acquiring new ties, the manager widens the social network and maximizes on structural holes.

It is not possible to maintain structural holes for long. Naturally, structural holes disappear with time.  Considering our social settings, your ties would want to know who your other ties are. Your ties have you as the common mediator and with time, they will come to know each other.

Overall, I think the structural hole theory is very significant in our social networks. If all your friends are friends too, they will likely have the same information.  Again, they do not require a mediator. The chances of maximizing the structural hole in this case are minimal.

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