Social Networking

 

     Networking is the interaction between people that results in some kind of mutual gain. In the business sector, it is usually someone’s ability to land a job within an organization based on their level of connectedness to another individual with ties to that organization.  Mark Granovetter feels that these social structures play an important role in economic settings in three influential ways. One of these ways is by affecting the flow and quality of information an individual receives (2005; 33).  Another way results in a type or reward and punishment setting in which the better one is socially connected, the more positive the outcome (2005; 33). Finally, the third is this notion that individuals will do the “right” thing by each other (2005; 33). Granovetter argues that these levels of connectedness are often assumed to be “weak ties” because they deal with casual acquaintances where much theoretical work has focused on the strong ties and bonds that occur between individuals with a “stronger” bond.  He argues that in close circles, the information that is shared is often repetitive, while the “weak ties” offer information that would otherwise be inaccessible to us (2005; 36).  Therefore, the more ties and connections an individual has the more chances they have to receive new information from outside sources.

     This concept of social networking is extremely evident at the probation office. Out of ten employees at the juvenile probation office all but one can attaché their employment opportunity directly to someone they knew in their social circle.  Most of these connections would be made from what Granovetter would refer to as “weak ties”.   In this particular employment setting these “weak ties” are often based on political connectedness. For example, Sheila and Ann are family friends with Judge Fiss, Judge Baricivic, Ex-Chief Judge Kernan, and have personal ties or relations in the Shevil Law Office.  Terry’s father in law is the current mayor of large city.  For the rest of the example see attached evidence.

      Another way that Granovetter (2005; 33) sees the importance of social ties is in the way information is shared and received.  This is an important aspect of the hiring practice currently in place at the juvenile probation office.  All jobs are posted internally and are only accessible to people who are currently employed in this environment or who are politically connected enough to someone to be personally notified.  This is how Sheila says she was given her job.  She had received notification from her husband’s contact that there was a position open within the organization and to submit a resume.  She did and was immediately hired.  She said the only problem that occurs is when more than one person has someone they would like to place in the current opening.  When this occurs, it simply comes down to who has the most clout. 

     To further Granovetter’s (2005; 33) second idea is that these social connections can result in a type of punishment or reward situation.  How this applies to employment opportunities are that some social ties result in a better chance for employment opportunities than others.  For example, these can be seen in the differences between people who are employed at the detention center as opposed to the probation office.  The people who are placed at the detention center seem to have less political clout and use this job as a chance for entry into the probation office.  This is what an employee at the detention center noted.  She said that people who have pull start networking at the level of the detention center and the better the pull of your connection determines where you can have someone placed. This is further supported by statements from Shelia and Christy.  They have stated that when they were offered the chance for a position at the detention center they turned it down and said they would prefer to wait for an opening at the probation office.

     This third idea of Granovetter’s is that people will do the “right” thing.  This concept is based on the idea that if someone helps you to land a job in a lucrative position you will reciprocate by being a model employee and continuing to further the shared ideas and norms of the workplace (Granovetter 2005; 33).  The work place then becomes a socializing agent on the worker.  Through socialization, the worker will then learn the accepted norms, roles and skills of the environment (Hodson and Sullivan 2002; 264).  This type of socialization when it occurs in the economic environment can have substantial affects on the hiring process.  When looking for new employees to fill positions at the probation office and at the detention center it seems that job candidates have been predetermined as to whom the perfect employee would be for the opening. This then results in a form of homo-social reproduction in the workforce.  Home-social reproduction occurs when there is little variation from one employee to another and employers seem to hire people who are most like their current employees. For example, out of seventeen management positions fourteen are filled by white males, one black male, and two females.  Another accepted norm occurs in a type of gender segregation between the juvenile and adult probation office.  Gender segregation occurs when someone is place in a type of position based on their gender (Hodson and Sullivan, 2002). For example, in the juvenile probation office the majority of the employees, 8 out of 10, are white females. One would wonder if women are primarily placed in these positions because the offenders are all seen as “children.”  It may also occur because these crimes are often seen as less “serious” than adult crime as was related to me by an employee at the juvenile office.  She claimed that they are in the juvenile office because they are often told that these kids need some “good mothering”. 

      In the detention center, the majority of employees are African-American with the rate at about 20 out of 30 employees, except for all three management positions which are filled by white males. This could also be evidence of a type of cultural division of labor.  Cultural division of labor is where jobs that are less prestigious are being assigned to minorities (Hodson- Sullivan 2005).  The employees at the detention center feel that their jobs do not offer the same perks or prestige as the employees at the juvenile probation office.  They point out such things as the probation offices ability to work straight day with no nights, weekends, or holidays.  They also note that they are denied many things such as going out to lunch, flex time, and the prestige of working at the probation office.  As one employee noted, the detention center workers are treated as nothing better than “bubble gum” cops.

 

Networking Organizational Chart

 

Shelia and Ann -Family friends with Judge Fiss, Judge Baricivic, Ex-Chief Judge Kernan, and have personal ties or relations in the Shevil Law Office. 

Sue- Knows Judge Mansfield

Tara-Her father-in-law is mayor of Cahokia

Shannon- Her father is the self=proclaimed DUI KING

Angie- Family has strong affiliation with Local 100 ( interesting note this is the union that now represents the detention center employees ).

Chris- McCall with Centerville Township

Kristy- Husband is the county attorney

Ruth- Comes from strong family of democrats, currently precinct committee woman.