In interviews with the workers who changed jobs, Granovetter learned that the contacts who helped them land the job were most often an old friend, a former co-worker, or former employer. In addition, that contact was likely to be someone with whom that worker had maintained sporadic contact over the years. Granovetter called these
A)the division of labor.
B)weak ties.
C)strong ties.
D)a social network.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Granovetter's concept of "weak ties" refers to those relationships that are not closely knit, such as old friends, former co-workers, or employers with whom one maintains sporadic contact. These ties are contrasted with "strong ties," which are close, frequent relationships. Granovetter found that weak ties are often more valuable for job seekers because they provide access to a wider range of information and opportunities.

In Interviews with the Workers Who Changed Jobs, Granovetter Learned