Agenda

This event is part of VSM Lectures, a series of seminars by top scholars from renowned international universities and institutions. Invited speakers present their cutting-edge research, share key findings, and explore the broader impact of their work on pressing societal challenges.

Agency and the micro-foundations of network resilience: Insights from “Mafia Capitale” (2012-2015)
By Elisa Operti - Professor of Strategy at ESSEC Business School, Paris.

Also online: https://meet.google.com/vfb-syqf-rnm

This VSM Lecture is in collaboration with NOIS Lab.

Abstract
The growing interest in recognizing individuals as pivotal agents of change has catalyzed the "micro-foundations" movement within social network literature. Despite increased focus on the roles individuals play in network dynamics, there remains a gap in understanding how they actively respond to network churn caused by external changes. This paper explores the strategies key actors employ to enhance network resilience in response to exogenous shocks. We conduct a longitudinal case study examining the evolution of a political, economic, and criminal network known as “Mafia Capitale,” which emerged in Rome, Italy, from 2012 to 2015. The study identifies four key strategies actors use to bolster network resilience against shocks: turtling, group leverage, direct contact leverage, and broker leverage. We analyze how these strategies are implemented and sequenced to counter various changes induced by the shock, providing insights into their applications and effects.