Social Networks, the <i>Tertius Iungens</i> Orientation, and Involvement in Innovation

David Obstfeld · 2005 · Administrative Science Quarterly

Summary. This study examines how people's social network positions and behaviors influence their involvement in organizational innovation. The research finds that individuals who actively connect disconnected colleagues and facilitate coordination between already-connected people—a "tertius iungens" orientation—are more likely to drive innovation. Dense networks and diverse social knowledge also predict innovation involvement. The findings challenge structural holes theory by showing that connecting people benefits innovation more than exploiting network gaps for personal advantage.

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Obstfeld, D.. (2005). Social Networks, the <i>Tertius Iungens</i> Orientation, and Involvement in Innovation. Administrative Science Quarterly. https://doi.org/10.2189/asqu.2005.50.1.100

@article{obstfeld-2005-social-networks-i-tertius-iungens,
  title   = {Social Networks, the <i>Tertius Iungens</i> Orientation, and Involvement in Innovation},
  author  = {David Obstfeld},
  journal = {Administrative Science Quarterly},
  year    = {2005},
  doi     = {10.2189/asqu.2005.50.1.100},
  url     = {https://doi.org/10.2189/asqu.2005.50.1.100}
}

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TI  - Social Networks, the <i>Tertius Iungens</i> Orientation, and Involvement in Innovation
AU  - David Obstfeld
JO  - Administrative Science Quarterly
PY  - 2005
DO  - 10.2189/asqu.2005.50.1.100
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Details

DOI: 10.2189/asqu.2005.50.1.100
Countries: United States
Regions: North America
Categories: innovation-networks, innovation-theory, general-innovation
Added: 2026-04-28