Six Degrees of Separation Theory

Today’s business world functions at a seemingly unprecedented level of interconnectedness. The advent of social media heightens an already crucial fact about business today—social connections are vitally important for business success. Social connections can bring positive results such as information and opportunities, and they can also carry negative consequences such as reputational damage. The notion that we are all connected to one another is sometimes referred to as “six degrees of separation.” This signifies that while we may have a limited number of direct ties, indirect ties link almost all of us together.

Social network theory is the study of connections between individuals and/or organizations and their consequences. Sociologists and organizational theorists have paid great attention to the role of social connections in economic success over ...