Integrating ecologies: Population dynamics and interorganizational networks in the U.S. motion picture industry, 1912-1970

This paper studies the role of organizational networks in shaping the evolutionary dynamics of organizational populations. Building on social networks theory, we examine the influence of interorganizational networks on organizational exit rates by looking at the structural properties of the relational space in which organizations are located and the nature of their interaction over time. In particular, we look at the influence of two network mechanisms: the degree of fragmentation (or connectivity) of the larger organizational network field and the intensity of interaction (i.e., repeated ties) with the same partners. We situate our analysis in the Hollywood motion picture industry and trace the vital rates of movie production companies over the period 1912-1970. We found network fragmentation to reinforce density dependent processes, but tie repetition to moderate them. The results suggest the viability of a social network approach to the study of population ecology dynamics.