Mapping corporate power:
Understanding corporate dynamics through
network analysis
Diliara Valeeva
University of Amsterdam
Guest lecture | 28 November 2024
My academic career has been driven by a commitment
to understanding power dynamics,
specifically how powerful entities—whether they are corporations, elites, or shareholders—gain and exercise power
Corporate networks
Nodes: entities with the network
Edges: connections or relationships between the nodes
Examples:
* ownership
* board interlocks
* supply chain
* lobbying
* collaboration
etc.
Networks allow to study power
- Who obtains crucial positions?
- Who owns the resources?
- How information is transmitted?
- What kind of clusters exist?
How can the network transform?
Case study 1:
Rise of corporate influence in lobbying networks?
Hanegraaff M., Valeeva D., Aizenberg E. The evolution of firm involvement in American politics: Testing theories
of lobbying activity and centrality. Under review.
Q: Do firms become more prominent in lobbying networks compared to business associations?
taxation
energy
lobbying network
budget
firm
firm
Q: Do firms become more prominent in lobbying networks compared to business associations?
taxation
energy
lobbying network
budget
firm
firm
firms
busi. assoc.
other
* degree centrality: how connected the node is
* degree centrality: how connected the node is
Case study 2:
Sino-European corporate elite networks
De Graaff, N., & Valeeva, D. (2021). Emerging Sino–European corporate elite networks. Development and Change, 52(5), 1147-1173.
Q: How does Chinese internationalizing corporate elite relate to the European corporate elite?
B. Uebber
Airbus
BAIC
board interlock network
* BAIC: Beijing Automotive Group (CN)
*Airbus: European Aeronautic Defenceand Space Company (FR/DE/ES)
Chinese firms
European firms
Title Text
Case study 3:
Supply chain transformations in light of environmental regulations
Work in progress with L. Fransen et al.
Q: What is the supply chain structure in the clothing industry, and how will it transform in response to new environmental & human rights regulatory frameworks?
brand
supplier
supply chain network
Title Text
Case study 4:
Interlock networks of global financial firms
Valeeva, D. (2024). Global interlock ties of financial firms: insights from network analysis. Finance and Space, 1(1), 13-16.
Qs: Is there a cohesive global financial elite, connected through corporate boards?
board member
Allianz
BNP
board interlock network
Summary
Very different questions, very different answers
One methodological perspective
Studying corporate transformations through networks allows to study power and influence
Diliara Valeeva
E: d.valeeva@uva.nl
W: www.diliaravaleeva.com
Networksa and institutions - Guest lecture for Soc Sci Research Masters @UVA
By Diliara Valeeva
