Audience Structure and Status Multiplicity

• In Event: 099 - Section on Mathematical Sociology Paper Session. Open Topic on Mathematical Sociology

Abstract

This paper investigates an under-theorized concept in sociological research: status multiplicity. We assert that actors’ status can vary both within and across audience segments and argue that embracing status multiplicity is important as it is local status, i.e., status as perceived by audience members the actor is dealing with, that drives action. We predict that the more fragmented audiences are, the more likely status multiplicity will arise. We introduce a network-based conceptualization and measure of status multiplicity, and use this measure to test our predictions in the setting of academic journal ranking and fragmentation in the field of management.

Authors

• Balazs Kovacs, University of Lugano

• Chengwei Liu, Warwick Business School