Social network analysis and festival cities: an exploration of concepts, literature and methods

Jarman, David; Theodoraki, Eleni; Hall, Hazel; Ali-Knight, Jane

Abstract

Social network analysis (SNA) is an under-utilised framework for research into festivals and events. This paper reflects upon the history of SNA, and explores its key concepts, in order that they might be applied to festivals and their environments. Secondary material from the literature of SNA, tourism studies and the festival industry underpins the paper. The analysis argues that festival cities offer dynamic environments in which to investigate the workings of social networks. The importance of such networks has long been recognised within the industry, yet there is scant reflection of this in the event studies literature. Uses of SNA in tourism studies publications offer some precedents. This paper emphasises the importance of relationships between people in a festival economy, complementing and perhaps undermining stakeholder analyses. A research method is proposed, suitable for application across a diverse range of festivals and events.

Citation

Jarman, D., Theodoraki, E., Hall, H., & Ali-Knight, J. (2014). Social network analysis and festival cities: an exploration of concepts, literature and methods. International Journal of Event and Festival Management, 5(3), 311-322. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijefm-11-2013-0034

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 20, 2014
• Online Publication Date: Oct 2, 2014
• Publication Date: Oct 14, 2014
• Deposit Date: Jul 29, 2014
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 2, 2014
• Journal: International Journal of Event and Festival Management
• Print ISSN: 1758-2954
• Electronic ISSN: 1758-2954
• Publisher: Emerald
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 5
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 311-322
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/ijefm-11-2013-0034
• Keywords: Social networks; festival cities; social network analysis
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/id/eprint/6920
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/IJEFM-11-2013-0034