[Paper Review] Social networks and geography: a review of the literature and its implications

Steven M. Radil, Olivier Walther|arXiv (Cornell University)|May 11, 2018

Cross-Border Cooperation and Integration81 references4 citations

TL;DR

This paper critically examines the role of social network theory in human geography, proposing a shift from metaphorical network frameworks like actor-network theory to formal social network analysis. By aligning geographical concepts—such as place, distance, and scale—with network metrics like centrality, density, and homophily, the authors demonstrate how formal network analysis can offer more rigorous, empirically grounded insights into spatial social relations, advancing geographers beyond metaphorical interpretations of networks.

ABSTRACT

The spatial metaphor of the network along with its accompanying abstractions, such as flow, movement, and connectivity, have been central themes throughout the relational turn in human geography. However, to date networks in geography have been primarily explored either through actor-network theory or assemblage thinking, both of which embrace the network metaphor without specifically and formally interrogating networks themselves. We seek to problematize the treatment of networks in geography by exploring the largely underutilized literature on social networks as an alternative to the now dominant actor-network and assemblage frameworks. Our paper discusses the conceptual connections between key concepts in geography, such as place, distance, scale, and power, and those in network theory, such as centrality, density, and homophily. Voluntarily written from the periphery of human geography, our paper opens new directions for geographers that are interested in more than the metaphor of the network.

Motivation & Objective

• To challenge the dominant metaphorical use of networks in human geography, particularly through actor-network theory and assemblage thinking.
• To advocate for the formal integration of social network analysis (SNA) as a more rigorous alternative to metaphorical network frameworks.
• To identify conceptual and methodological connections between core geographical concepts—place, distance, scale, power—and key network theory constructs—centrality, density, homophily.
• To open new research directions in geography by embedding social network theory in empirical and analytical practices rather than symbolic or philosophical abstractions.

Proposed method

• Systematic review of literature in social network theory and human geography to identify conceptual overlaps and methodological gaps.
• Comparative analysis of key concepts in geography (e.g., place, scale, power) with core network theory constructs (e.g., centrality, density, homophily).
• Use of formal network analysis techniques to model and measure social relations in spatial contexts, emphasizing empirical validation over metaphor.
• Application of network metrics such as betweenness, closeness, and eigenvector centrality to geographical data to assess structural positions and influence.
• Emphasis on quantitative and qualitative integration of network data to analyze spatial patterns of connectivity and inequality.
• Reframing geographical inquiry through network theory by focusing on measurable relational structures rather than abstract relational metaphors.

Experimental results

Research questions

• RQ1 How can formal social network analysis provide more rigorous insights into spatial social relations than metaphorical network frameworks in geography?
• RQ2 What are the conceptual parallels between geographical concepts such as place, distance, and scale and core network theory constructs like centrality and density?
• RQ3 In what ways can network metrics such as homophily and clustering explain spatial patterns of social interaction and inequality?
• RQ4 How might the integration of formal SNA methods transform the methodological foundations of human geography?
• RQ5 What are the implications of shifting from metaphorical network thinking to empirically grounded network analysis in geographical research?

Key findings

• The paper identifies strong conceptual parallels between geographical concepts like place and scale and network theory constructs such as centrality and density, suggesting that formal network analysis can enrich geographical inquiry.
• It demonstrates that network metrics like homophily and clustering can be used to model and explain spatial patterns of social cohesion and inequality.
• The authors argue that formal social network analysis offers a more empirically grounded and analytically precise alternative to metaphorical frameworks like actor-network theory.
• By integrating network theory with geography, the paper enables more rigorous measurement of social connectivity, influence, and structural power in spatial contexts.
• The study reveals that current geographical research often underutilizes the formal tools of social network analysis, despite their potential to enhance spatial analysis.
• The paper concludes that a shift toward formal SNA can open new, empirically robust research directions in human geography beyond symbolic or philosophical interpretations of networks.