| In the current knowledge-based society, advice seeking and consultation are important in order to gain access to information and resources. The choice of advisors is therefore critical given its potential impact on ultimate decisions.; Previous research has drawn attention to the role of personal attributes and social-psychological predispositions in advice seeking. However, given that advice seeking is relational, this dissertation investigates the effect of scholars' interpersonal ties and networks on advice seeking and consultation choices.; Using a social network survey supplemented with observations and interviews, the study collected information on personal attributes, types of work and informal relations scholars have with each other, strength of these relations, and their communication preferences. It used social network analytic techniques such as Quadratic Assignment Procedure (QAP) to examine the relationships among scholar's work, interpersonal and communication networks. Hierarchical clustering and blockmodelling techniques further helped understand the role structures of the scholarly networks and the extent to which scholars belong to structurally equivalent positions (blocs). Logistic regression models were used to integrate the individual, structural and tie level effects and estimate the odds of advice seeking and consultation.; The study found strong support for centrality, network size and tie-strength effects, as well as proximity (positional, relational, spatial) influences in advice seeking. Besides, network range (connections with external ties) positively predicted the odds of consultation. Finally, there were communication style effects, with face-to-face and email contact playing different roles in advice seeking. These combined attribute, relational and structural factors in turn determine the extent to which relevant knowledge and accessibility of advisors, as well as interpersonal costs and obligations influence advice seeking.; This research draws on, and contributes to the literature on social networks, organizations, knowledge management, communications and sociology of science by pointing to the relevance of social and intellectual capital in advice and consultation choices. Findings from the dissertation are relevant to understanding advice seeking and consultations choices among physicians, lawyers, corporate managers, and other professionals, and use of peer influence models in behavioral interventions, diffusion of information and practices. |
