Emotions, indigenous affective ties, and social network theory—The case of South Korea
Yang, I., & Horak, S. (2019). Emotions, indigenous affective ties, and social
network theory—The case of South Korea. Asia Pacific Journal of Management,
36(2), 395-414. DOI: 10.1007/s10490-017-9555-7
Link: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10490-017-9555-7
Abstract
This study conceptually explores the structural and emotional aspects of
informal social networks in South Korea by examining the indigenous concepts of
jeong, woori, inmaek, and yongo in relation to the theories of social networks,
social capital, and social exchange. We suggest extending extant knowledge of
the latter by pursuing the geocentric integration of Eastern and Western schools
of thought on crucial elements of social networks, chiefly by focusing on
affective characteristics compared to the conventional and dominant focus on
cognitive characteristics. Moreover, we highlight the dualistic nature of
informal ties by adapting the notions of yin–yang and zhongyong. Based on the
results of our analysis, we suggest explicitly integrating interpersonal
affection and the role of emotions as the constituting elements of social
network development and cohesion.
Keywords
Affective ties, social network characteristics, informality, emotions, jeong,
woori, inmaek, yongo, indigenous research, duality