{"title":"Ronald S. Burt","description":"\u003cp\u003eRonald S. Burt’s work explores the intricate dynamics of social networks within the realm of \u003cstrong\u003ebusiness and entrepreneurship\u003c\/strong\u003e. His books offer profound insights into how relationships and connections can serve as powerful bridges, shaping opportunities and driving innovation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eReaders can expect a thoughtful examination of the interplay between structure and influence, with a focus on understanding the mechanisms that underpin successful collaboration and competitive advantage in professional settings.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"strong-bridges-by-ronald-s-burt-9780197834251","title":"Strong Bridges","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eStrong Bridges\u003c\/em\u003e is a book about a contradiction and the opportunity it offers. For decades, social network theory has drawn its maps of advantage from the idea that brokers sit astride structural holes, reaping value from weak ties that bridge disconnected worlds. But what if some of those bridges are not weak? What if the real advantage lies not just in structure, but in trust forged in interpersonal history regardless of structure?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis is the puzzle \u003cem\u003eStrong Bridges\u003c\/em\u003e takes up. It begins with \u003cem\u003eguanxi\u003c\/em\u003e, the colloquial Chinese term for relationship advantage, often dismissed as cultural peculiarity or corruption. But the authors treat \u003cem\u003eguanxi\u003c\/em\u003e as a strategic research site, not a cultural relic. They view it as a niche-word pointing to a broader category of human experience. Combining analytic rigour with quality network data, they pull apart the Siamese twins of tie strength and network structure, documenting the prevalence and competitive value of high-trust ties that span structural holes, i.e., strong bridges.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe book offers two discovery stories; one empirical, one theoretical. The first tracks how \u003cem\u003eguanxi\u003c\/em\u003e bridges operate in the personal networks of Chinese entrepreneurs. The second reshapes core assumptions in network theory. Across industries, events, and even a pandemic, strong bridges emerge as resilient assets distinct from embedded ties, more predictive of cooperation, and more durable than theory currently expects.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a book about the anatomy of network advantage. It reframes brokerage not as a fragile position, but as a relationship earned, remembered, and surprisingly strong.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Unknown","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47934251925740,"sku":"9780197834251","price":327.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780197834251-strong-bridges.jpg?v=1783907951"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.live\/collections\/ronald-s-burt.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}