Mapping Solidarity Economy Networks

This is the first in a series of posts that will add elements of past DCP research and brainstorm ideas to this blog.

Today: the concept of "mapping networks." One of the potentially powerful applications of a comprehensive relational database of cooperative/solidarity economy initiatives is that we could begin to "map" the concrete economic relationships between them--supply chains, product distribution routes and markets. A dynamic analysis of these relationships could allow SE enterprises to visually understand new possibilities for building economic relationships across sectors and geographical regions. We would be able to understand where our relational strengths lie, be able to map the patterns of the networks to better understand their topology, and see where the "holes" are that could be filled.

This is a way of thinking that works effectively for some capitalist firms and production networks, so why not for solidarity networks?

Here are some links:

• Market Visual (and an example of its application)
• Network Mapping Introduction
• "New Social Networking Tools Are Emerging"
• "More Social Network Mapping Tools"
• Social Network Analysis Software
• Orgnet.com