Economic sociology identifies four key dimensions for analyzing economic phenomena: cognitive frameworks, culture, institutions, and social networks. These dimensions do not operate in isolation but are deeply interconnected, shaping the ways in which markets emerge, stabilize, and transform over time. This paper develops an integrated framework that synthesizes these perspectives, drawing particularly on the concept of fields and the theory of embeddedness to analyze the social organization of markets and their evolution.

A central argument of the paper is that markets should not be understood merely as arenas for economic exchange but as relational spaces where organizational and individual actors construct meanings, navigate institutional constraints, and leverage social ties. By emphasizing the role of organizational networks, we explore how firms, regulatory bodies, and professional associations interact, shaping market structures and governance. The paper also examines the dynamic interplay between micro-level cognitive schemas, meso-level organizational networks, and macro-level institutional arrangements and culture, highlighting how these forces co-evolve and reinforce each other.

Empirically, the paper applies this framework to the Chilean health insurance market, an arena characterized by regulatory tensions, firm-state interactions, and shifting consumer preferences. This case illustrates how market actors—firms, regulators, and consumers—mobilize social networks and institutional resources to shape the market field, influence policy decisions, and respond to systemic shocks. By doing so, the paper contributes to ongoing debates on the role of organizational networks in market evolution, offering insights into the mechanisms through which economic coordination, competition, and institutional adaptation unfold over time.

Mental health issues in Hong Kong have worsened due to prolonged socio-political unrest and the COVID-19 pandemic, yet barriers to disclosure continue to limit access to support. Online platforms have become essential spaces for mental health discussions, but the structure and dynamics of these digital communities remain unclear. This study examines how supporters and disclosers form online communities, the types of support exchanged, and the characteristics of key participants. Using mental health disclosure posts from Hong Kong’s major online forums (HKDiscuss, and HKGolden), we construct a social support network, where users (nodes) are linked through support-providing comments (edges). Network analysis evaluates whether support interactions are one-directional or sustained, while degree centrality identifies heavily-supportive users (frequent supporters) and attractive disclosers (highly engaged recipients). Deep-learning models (BERT) classify support as informational or emotional, examining how hub users differ from typical users in the type of support they provide or receive. To analyze content dynamics, TF-IDF similarity measures assess disclosure and response patterns, identifying linguistic trends among key users. Louvain’s method detects how supporters and disclosers cluster into online communities, while topic modeling (STM) uncovers key discussion themes in high-engagement groups. This study provides network-based insights into the structure and function of online mental health support in Hong Kong. Findings will inform digital mental health interventions, strengthen peer support systems, and enhance strategies for building more interactive and effective support communities.

Background:

Despite declines in HIV, progress has stalled for women in the U.S., with ~7,000 diagnoses in 2022. The AWARE network study focuses on how women's social and sexual connections impact health behaviors and need for HIV prevention. Network dynamics of women have not been previously documented.

Methods:

The AWARE study is a national cohort of 1,673 women aged 14-64 years old, living in the US, English or Spanish-speaking, who self-reported unprotected vaginal/anal sex with a male plus another behavioral risk factor in the past 6-months. From the cohort, 200 index participants and up to 5 network connections per participant will be enrolled in a network study. Participants complete a network survey and provide STI/HIV biospecimens at baseline and 6-months.

Results:

To date, 25 of 200 index participants have enrolled, with 6 total network referrals. Among them, 60% are White, 32% Black, and 24% Asian or American-Indian, with a mean age of 31.2-years. Eighty-eight percent report drug/alcohol use within their networks. Sixteen percent report 6+ sex partners in the past 6-months, 8% have network connections with shared sex partners, and 4% have an HIV+ partner. Barriers to network referrals include privacy concerns, HIV-related stigma, unknown contact for casual partners and potential impact on earnings from sex work.

Conclusion:

To improve referrals, qualitative interviews with index participants will provide insight into barriers, informing protocol modifications like alternative outreach methods. The network study aims to successfully engage participants to understand how the composition of social and sexual networks informs effective HIV prevention strategies.