This edited volume seeks to explore established as well as emergent forms of governance by combining social network analysis and governance research. In doing so, contributions take into account the increasingly complex forms which governance faces, consisting of different types of actors (e.g. individuals, states, economic entities, NGOs, IGOs), instruments (e.g. law, suggestions, flexible norms) and arenas from the local up to the global level, and which more and more questions theoretical models that have focused primarily on markets and hierarchies. The topics addressed in this volume are processes of coordination, arriving at and implementing decisions taking place in network(ed) (social) structures; such as governance of work relations, of financial markets, of innovation and politics. These processes are investigated and discussed from sociologists', political scientists' and economists' viewpoints.

This book provides the first systematic overview of German sociology today. Thirty-four chapters review current trends, relate them to international discussions and discuss perspectives for future research. The contributions span the whole range of sociological research topics, from social inequality to the sociology of body and space, addressing pressing questions in sociological theory and innovative research methods. TOC: Introduction Culture / Uta Karstein and Monika Wohlrab-Sahr Demography and Aging / Francois Hoepflinger Economic Sociology / Andrea Maurer Education and Socialization / Matthias Grundmann Environment / Anita Engels Europe / Monika Eigmuller Family and Intimate Relationships / Dirk Konietzka, Michael Feldhaus, Michaela Kreyenfeld, and Heike Trappe (Felt) Body. Sports, Medicine, and Media / Robert Gugutzer and Claudia Peter Gender / Paula-Irene Villa and Sabine Hark Globalization and Transnationalization / Anja Weiss Global South / Eva Gerharz and Gilberto Rescher History of Sociology / Stephan Moebius Life Course / Johannes Huinink and Betina Hollstein Media and Communication / Andreas Hepp Microsociology / Rainer Schutzeichel Migration / Ludger Pries Mixed-Methods and Multimethod Research / Felix Knappertsbusch, Bettina Langfeldt, and Udo Kelle Organization / Raimund Hasse Political Sociology / Joern Lamla Qualitative Methods / Betina Hollstein and Nils C. Kumkar Quantitative Methods / Alice Barth and Joerg Blasius Religion / Matthias Koenig Science and Higher Education / Anna Kosmutzky and Georg Krucken Social Inequalities Empirical Focus / Gunnar Otte, Mara Boehle, and Katharina Kunissen Social Inequalities Theoretical Focus / Thomas Schwinn Social Movements / Thomas Kern Social Networks / Roger Haussling Social Policy / Birgit Pfau-Effinger and Christopher Grages Social Problems / Gunter Albrecht Social Theory / Wolfgang Ludwig Schneider Society / Uwe Schimank Space. Urban, Rural, Territorial / Martina Loew Technology and Innovation / Werner Rammert Work and Labor / Brigitte Aulenbacher and Johanna Grubner List of Contributors Index

This edited volume seeks to explore established as well as emergent forms of governance by combining social network analysis and governance research. In doing so, contributions take into account the increasingly complex forms which governance faces, consisting of different types of actors (e.g. individuals, states, economic entities, NGOs, IGOs), instruments (e.g. law, suggestions, flexible norms) and arenas from the local up to the global level, and which more and more questions theoretical models that have focused primarily on markets and hierarchies. The topics addressed in this volume are processes of coordination, arriving at and implementing decisions taking place in network(ed) (social) structures; such as governance of work relations, of financial markets, of innovation and politics. These processes are investigated and discussed from sociologists', political scientists' and economists' viewpoints.

This edited volume demonstrates the potential of mixed-methods designs for the research of social networks and the utilization of social networks for other research. Mixing methods applies to the combination and integration of qualitative and quantitative methods. In social network research, mixing methods also applies to the combination of structural and actor-oriented approaches. The volume provides readers with methodological concepts to guide mixed-methods network studies with precise research designs and methods to investigate social networks of various sorts. Each chapter describes the research design used and discusses the strengths of the methods for that particular field and for specific outcomes.

This edited volume demonstrates the potential of mixed-methods designs for the research of social networks and the utilization of social networks for other research. Mixing methods applies to the combination and integration of qualitative and quantitative methods. In social network research, mixing methods also applies to the combination of structural and actor-oriented approaches. The volume provides readers with methodological concepts to guide mixed-methods network studies with precise research designs and methods to investigate social networks of various sorts. Each chapter describes the research design used and discusses the strengths of the methods for that particular field and for specific outcomes.

Dieses Open-Access-Buch untersucht vor dem Hintergrund der kulturell hegemonialen Rolle der Mittelschichten in westlichen Gesellschaften sowie angesichts zeitdiagnostischer Behauptungen, dass "die Mitte" zunehmenden Verunsicherungen und Gefahrdungen ausgesetzt sei, die biographischen Orientierungen und Praktiken, die die Lebensfuhrung der Mittelschichten in Deutschland ausmachen.

Das Buch untersucht, wie sich die soziale Integration nach dem Tod des Lebenspartners verandert. Welche Regeln liegen den Veranderungen von Familien-, Freundschafts- und Nachbarschaftsbeziehungen zugrunde, wo liegen strukturelle Probleme bei der Neuorientierung und wie gehen die Individuen damit um? Welche Risikogruppen lassen sich identifizieren?"

Das Buch prasentiert ein Konzept informeller sozialer Beziehungen, das die strukturelle Ebene von Beziehungen systematisch mit der Akteursebene verbindet. Es bietet einen Rahmen fur die Analyse sowohl von einzelnen Beziehungstypen, wie Eltern-Kind-Beziehung, Freundschaft, Nachbarschaft, als auch von ganzen Netzwerken."