Introduction

This contribution proposes a four-level concept for network analysis designed for adequately capturing and interpreting the socially multidimensional nature of human interaction. Specifically, the concept serves to link the actor perspective of an interaction-oriented sociology with a structural perspective on prevailing constellations of interaction and overall framework conditions. Both perspectives are warranted and stand more in a complementary than in a rival or even a mutually exclusive relationship. On the empirical side of methodology, this insight is mirrored by employing a combination of qualitative methods of collecting network data and formal methods of network analysis. The analysis itself follows a multilevel parallel design strategy (cf. Introduction). Exploiting the advantages of both approaches requires a conceptual framework capable of pinpointing what each approach can be expected to accomplish and where its limits is.

This conceptual framework is outlined in the following section. Its application is demonstrated afterwards drawing on a case study. The findings from a study on processes of communication and knowledge transfer in the sales department of an auto manufacturer are presented. Special attention is paid to ways of linking the results obtained through different methods of network analysis. The chapter concludes by underscoring that, when using mixed methods designs, method triangulation should be based on a conceptual framework defining the range and function of the individual methods applied. In case of network analysis, the concept of interaction is especially suited for this purpose.