The metaphor of “networks” has long been used in media and academic discourse. In regional sciences, scholars consistently emphasize the importance of relational and network infrastructures for regional development. Multinational companies operate through global supply networks, and cities themselves can be understood as part of global urban networks. To adequately capture the complexity of spatial and social networks, however, we must move beyond metaphorical use.
Recent approaches in quantitative and qualitative social network analysis investigate spatial, social, and economic phenomena in terms of their embeddedness in social relationships. This course provides a fundamental introduction to the key challenges and methodological approaches of network analysis, as well as the practical implications that arise from empirical insights in this field. Participants will be introduced to a range of analytical techniques, illustrated through empirical case studies. In addition, the course highlights the potential of network analysis to advance research on regional development and to inform practices in regional management.