Skip to main content
Top
Published in:

01-12-2016 | Original Article

Empirical analysis of the Portuguese governments social network

Authors: Nuno Moniz, Francisco Louçã, Márcia Oliveira, Renato Soeiro

Published in: Social Network Analysis and Mining | Issue 1/2016

Log in

Activate our intelligent search to find suitable subject content or patents.

search-config
loading …

Abstract

The Portuguese governmental network comprising all the 776 ministers and junior ministers who were part of the 19 governments between the year 1976 and 2013 is presented and analyzed. The data contain information on connections concerning business and other types of organizations and, to our knowledge, there is no such extensive research in previous literature. Upon the presentation of the data, a social network analysis considering the temporal dimension is performed at three levels of granularity: network-level, subnetwork-level (political groups) and node-level. A discussion based on the results is presented. We conclude that although it fits two of the four preconditions of a small-world model, the Portuguese governmental network is not a small-world network, although presenting an evolution pointing toward becoming one. Also, we use a resilience test to study the evolution of the robustness of the Portuguese governmental network, pinpointing the moment when a set of members became structurally important.

Dont have a licence yet? Then find out more about our products and how to get one now:

Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

  • über 102.000 Bücher
  • über 537 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

  • Automobil + Motoren
  • Bauwesen + Immobilien
  • Business IT + Informatik
  • Elektrotechnik + Elektronik
  • Energie + Nachhaltigkeit
  • Finance + Banking
  • Management + Führung
  • Marketing + Vertrieb
  • Maschinenbau + Werkstoffe
  • Versicherung + Risiko

Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

Springer Professional "Wirtschaft"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Wirtschaft" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

  • über 67.000 Bücher
  • über 340 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

  • Bauwesen + Immobilien
  • Business IT + Informatik
  • Finance + Banking
  • Management + Führung
  • Marketing + Vertrieb
  • Versicherung + Risiko




Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

Springer Professional "Technik"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Technik" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

  • über 67.000 Bücher
  • über 390 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

  • Automobil + Motoren
  • Bauwesen + Immobilien
  • Business IT + Informatik
  • Elektrotechnik + Elektronik
  • Energie + Nachhaltigkeit
  • Maschinenbau + Werkstoffe




 

Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

Footnotes
1
This research was carried out by Nuno Moniz and Adriano Campos.
 
2
This was the year of the first constitutional government after the Carnation Revolution.
 
3
Grupo Mello, Grupo Champalimaud, BES, BCP, Santander, Mota-Engil, PT, BPI, CGD, SONAE, Jerónimo Martins, Américo Amorim.
 
4
The only individual which did not take part of those governments was António de Sousa Franco (PS).
 
Literature
go back to reference Adamic LA (1999) The small world web. In: Abiteboul S, Vercoustre AM (eds) Research and advanced technology for digital libraries. Springer, Heidelberg, pp 443–452 Adamic LA (1999) The small world web. In: Abiteboul S, Vercoustre AM (eds) Research and advanced technology for digital libraries. Springer, Heidelberg, pp 443–452
go back to reference Agrawal A, Knoeber C (2001) Do some outside directors play a political role? J Law Econ 44(1):179–198CrossRef Agrawal A, Knoeber C (2001) Do some outside directors play a political role? J Law Econ 44(1):179–198CrossRef
go back to reference Bandeira-de Mello R, Marcon R (2011) The value of business group affiliation for political connections: preferential lending in Brazil. In: AOM (ed) Annual meeting of the academy of management, vol 2 Bandeira-de Mello R, Marcon R (2011) The value of business group affiliation for political connections: preferential lending in Brazil. In: AOM (ed) Annual meeting of the academy of management, vol 2
go back to reference Barrat A, Barthelemy M, Pastor-Satorras R, Vespignani A (2004) The architecture of complex weighted networks. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 101(11):3747–3752CrossRef Barrat A, Barthelemy M, Pastor-Satorras R, Vespignani A (2004) The architecture of complex weighted networks. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 101(11):3747–3752CrossRef
go back to reference Bassett DS, Bullmore E (2006) Small-world brain networks. The Neuroscientist 12(6):512–523CrossRef Bassett DS, Bullmore E (2006) Small-world brain networks. The Neuroscientist 12(6):512–523CrossRef
go back to reference Bello J, Rolfe M (2014) Is influence mightier than selection? Forging agreement in political discussion networks during a campaign. Soc Netw 36:134–146CrossRef Bello J, Rolfe M (2014) Is influence mightier than selection? Forging agreement in political discussion networks during a campaign. Soc Netw 36:134–146CrossRef
go back to reference Bertrand M, Kramarz F, Schoar A, Thesmar D (2004) Politically connected CEOs and corporate outcomes: Evidence from France. CEPR Working paper, London, UK Bertrand M, Kramarz F, Schoar A, Thesmar D (2004) Politically connected CEOs and corporate outcomes: Evidence from France. CEPR Working paper, London, UK
go back to reference Bonacich P (1972) Factoring and weighting approaches to status scores and clique identification. J Math Sociol 2(1):113–120CrossRef Bonacich P (1972) Factoring and weighting approaches to status scores and clique identification. J Math Sociol 2(1):113–120CrossRef
go back to reference Boubakri N, Cosset JC, Saffar W (2008) Political connections of newly privatized firms. J Corp Finance 14(5):654–673CrossRef Boubakri N, Cosset JC, Saffar W (2008) Political connections of newly privatized firms. J Corp Finance 14(5):654–673CrossRef
go back to reference Brandes U (2001) A faster algorithm for betweenness centrality\(^{*}\). J Math Sociol 25(2):163–177CrossRefMATH Brandes U (2001) A faster algorithm for betweenness centrality\(^{*}\). J Math Sociol 25(2):163–177CrossRefMATH
go back to reference Camp R (2007) Politics in Mexico. The democratic consolidation, 5th edn. Oxford University Press, Oxford Camp R (2007) Politics in Mexico. The democratic consolidation, 5th edn. Oxford University Press, Oxford
go back to reference Claessens S, Feijen E, Laeven L (2007) Political connections and preferential access to finance: the role of campaign contributions. Technology report 6045, C.E.P.R. discussion papers Claessens S, Feijen E, Laeven L (2007) Political connections and preferential access to finance: the role of campaign contributions. Technology report 6045, C.E.P.R. discussion papers
go back to reference Costa J, Fazenda L, Honório C, Louçã F, Rosas F (2010) Os Donos de Portugal. Afrontamento Costa J, Fazenda L, Honório C, Louçã F, Rosas F (2010) Os Donos de Portugal. Afrontamento
go back to reference Cull R, Xu L (2005) Institutions, ownership, and finance: the determinants of profit reinvestment among Chinese firms. J Financ Econ 77(1):117–146CrossRef Cull R, Xu L (2005) Institutions, ownership, and finance: the determinants of profit reinvestment among Chinese firms. J Financ Econ 77(1):117–146CrossRef
go back to reference Davis GF, Yoo M, Baker WE (2003) The small world of the American corporate elite, 1982–2001. Strateg Organ 1(3):301–326CrossRef Davis GF, Yoo M, Baker WE (2003) The small world of the American corporate elite, 1982–2001. Strateg Organ 1(3):301–326CrossRef
go back to reference Dinc S (2005) Politicians and banks: political influences on government-owned banks in emerging markets. J Financ Econ 77(2):453–479CrossRef Dinc S (2005) Politicians and banks: political influences on government-owned banks in emerging markets. J Financ Econ 77(2):453–479CrossRef
go back to reference Ebel H, Mielsch LI, Bornholdt S (2002) Scale-free topology of e-mail networks. Phys Rev E 66(3):035,103CrossRef Ebel H, Mielsch LI, Bornholdt S (2002) Scale-free topology of e-mail networks. Phys Rev E 66(3):035,103CrossRef
go back to reference Erdős P, Rényi A (1960) On the evolution of random graphs. Publ Math Inst Hung Acad Sci 5(1960):17–61MathSciNetMATH Erdős P, Rényi A (1960) On the evolution of random graphs. Publ Math Inst Hung Acad Sci 5(1960):17–61MathSciNetMATH
go back to reference Faccio M, Masulis RW, McConnell JJ (2006) Political connections and corporate bailouts. J Finance 61(6):2597–2635CrossRef Faccio M, Masulis RW, McConnell JJ (2006) Political connections and corporate bailouts. J Finance 61(6):2597–2635CrossRef
go back to reference Freeman LC (1979) Centrality in social networks: conceptual clarification. Soc Netw 1(3):215–239CrossRef Freeman LC (1979) Centrality in social networks: conceptual clarification. Soc Netw 1(3):215–239CrossRef
go back to reference Gil-Mendieta J, Schmidt S (1996) The political network in Mexico. Soc Netw 18(4):355–381CrossRef Gil-Mendieta J, Schmidt S (1996) The political network in Mexico. Soc Netw 18(4):355–381CrossRef
go back to reference Heaney MT (2014) Multiplex networks and interest group influence reputation: an exponential random graph model. Soc Netw 36:66–81 Heaney MT (2014) Multiplex networks and interest group influence reputation: an exponential random graph model. Soc Netw 36:66–81
go back to reference Joyce KE, Hayasaka S, Laurienti PJ (2013) The human functional brain network demonstrates structural and dynamical resilience to targeted attack. PLoS Comput Biol 9(1):e1002,885CrossRef Joyce KE, Hayasaka S, Laurienti PJ (2013) The human functional brain network demonstrates structural and dynamical resilience to targeted attack. PLoS Comput Biol 9(1):e1002,885CrossRef
go back to reference Khwaja AI, Mian A (2005) Do lenders favor politically connected firms? Rent provision in an emerging financial market. Q J Econ 120(4):1371–1411CrossRef Khwaja AI, Mian A (2005) Do lenders favor politically connected firms? Rent provision in an emerging financial market. Q J Econ 120(4):1371–1411CrossRef
go back to reference Li H, Meng L, Wang Q, Zhou LA (2008) Political connections, financing and firm performance: evidence from Chinese private firms. J Dev Econ 87(2):283–299CrossRef Li H, Meng L, Wang Q, Zhou LA (2008) Political connections, financing and firm performance: evidence from Chinese private firms. J Dev Econ 87(2):283–299CrossRef
go back to reference Louçã F, Lopes JT, Costa J (2014) Os Burgueses. Bertrand Louçã F, Lopes JT, Costa J (2014) Os Burgueses. Bertrand
go back to reference Lusseau D (2003) The emergent properties of a dolphin social network. Proc R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 270(Suppl 2):S186–S188CrossRef Lusseau D (2003) The emergent properties of a dolphin social network. Proc R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 270(Suppl 2):S186–S188CrossRef
go back to reference McClurg SD, Young JK (2011) Political networks. Polit Sci Polit: PS 44(1):39–43CrossRef McClurg SD, Young JK (2011) Political networks. Polit Sci Polit: PS 44(1):39–43CrossRef
go back to reference Mendieta JG, Schmidt S, Castro J, Ruiz A (1997) A dynamic analysis of the Mexican power network. Connections 20(2):34–55 Mendieta JG, Schmidt S, Castro J, Ruiz A (1997) A dynamic analysis of the Mexican power network. Connections 20(2):34–55
go back to reference Mokken RJ, Stokman FN (1978–1979) Corporate-governmental networks in the Netherlands. Soc Netw 1(4):333–358 Mokken RJ, Stokman FN (1978–1979) Corporate-governmental networks in the Netherlands. Soc Netw 1(4):333–358
go back to reference Montoya JM, Solé RV (2002) Small world patterns in food webs. J Theor Biol 214(3):405–412CrossRef Montoya JM, Solé RV (2002) Small world patterns in food webs. J Theor Biol 214(3):405–412CrossRef
go back to reference Newman ME (2001a) Scientific collaboration networks II. Shortest paths, weighted networks, and centrality. Phys Rev E 64(1):016132CrossRef Newman ME (2001a) Scientific collaboration networks II. Shortest paths, weighted networks, and centrality. Phys Rev E 64(1):016132CrossRef
go back to reference Newman ME (2005) Power laws, Pareto distributions and Zipf’s law. Contemp Phys 46(5):323–351CrossRef Newman ME (2005) Power laws, Pareto distributions and Zipf’s law. Contemp Phys 46(5):323–351CrossRef
go back to reference Niessen A, Ruenzi S (2009) Political connectedness and firm performance: evidence from Germany. CFR Working Papers 07-15, University of Cologne, Centre for Financial Research (CFR) Niessen A, Ruenzi S (2009) Political connectedness and firm performance: evidence from Germany. CFR Working Papers 07-15, University of Cologne, Centre for Financial Research (CFR)
go back to reference Opsahl T, Agneessens F, Skvoretz J (2010) Node centrality in weighted networks: generalizing degree and shortest paths. Soc Netw 32(3):245–251CrossRef Opsahl T, Agneessens F, Skvoretz J (2010) Node centrality in weighted networks: generalizing degree and shortest paths. Soc Netw 32(3):245–251CrossRef
go back to reference Parigi P, Sartori L (2014) The political party as a network of cleavages: disclosing the inner structure of italian political parties in the seventies. Soc Netw 36:54–65CrossRef Parigi P, Sartori L (2014) The political party as a network of cleavages: disclosing the inner structure of italian political parties in the seventies. Soc Netw 36:54–65CrossRef
go back to reference Price DDS (1976) A general theory of bibliometric and other cumulative advantage processes. J Am Soc Inf Sci 27(5):292–306CrossRef Price DDS (1976) A general theory of bibliometric and other cumulative advantage processes. J Am Soc Inf Sci 27(5):292–306CrossRef
go back to reference Ribeiro J, Fernandes L, Ramos M (1987) Grande indústria, banca e grupos financeiros (1953–73). Anál Soc 23(99):745–1018 Ribeiro J, Fernandes L, Ramos M (1987) Grande indústria, banca e grupos financeiros (1953–73). Anál Soc 23(99):745–1018
go back to reference Siegel DA (2011) Social networks in comparative perspective. Polit Sci Polit: PS 44(1):51–54CrossRef Siegel DA (2011) Social networks in comparative perspective. Polit Sci Polit: PS 44(1):51–54CrossRef
go back to reference Sinclair PA (2007) A representation for the Mexican political networks. Soc Netw 29(1):81–92CrossRef Sinclair PA (2007) A representation for the Mexican political networks. Soc Netw 29(1):81–92CrossRef
go back to reference Sinclair PA (2011) The political networks of Mexico and measuring centralization. Procedia Soc Behav Sci 10:26–35CrossRef Sinclair PA (2011) The political networks of Mexico and measuring centralization. Procedia Soc Behav Sci 10:26–35CrossRef
go back to reference Szwarcberg M (2012) Revisiting clientelism: a network analysis of problem-solving networks in Argentina. Soc Netw 34(2):230–240CrossRef Szwarcberg M (2012) Revisiting clientelism: a network analysis of problem-solving networks in Argentina. Soc Netw 34(2):230–240CrossRef
go back to reference Walsh T (1999) Search in a small world. IJCAI 99:1172–1177 Walsh T (1999) Search in a small world. IJCAI 99:1172–1177
go back to reference Watts DJ (1999) Networks, dynamics, and the small-world phenomenon 1. Am J Sociol 105(2):493–527CrossRef Watts DJ (1999) Networks, dynamics, and the small-world phenomenon 1. Am J Sociol 105(2):493–527CrossRef
go back to reference Watts DJ, Strogatz SH (1998) Collective dynamics of small-world networks. Nature 393(6684):440–442CrossRef Watts DJ, Strogatz SH (1998) Collective dynamics of small-world networks. Nature 393(6684):440–442CrossRef
Metadata
Title
Empirical analysis of the Portuguese governments social network
Authors
Nuno Moniz
Francisco Louçã
Márcia Oliveira
Renato Soeiro
Publication date
01-12-2016
Publisher
Springer Vienna
Published in
Social Network Analysis and Mining / Issue 1/2016
Print ISSN: 1869-5450
Electronic ISSN: 1869-5469
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13278-016-0348-7

Premium Partner