Reconceptualizing Mentoring at Work: A Developmental Network Perspective

Abstract

We introduce social networks theory and methods as a way of understanding mentoring in the current career context. We iirst introduce a typology of “developmental networks” using core concepts from social networks theory—network diversity and tie strength—to view mentoring as a multiple relationship phenomenon. We then propose a framework illustrating factors that shape developmental network structures and offer propositions focusing on the developmental consequences for individuals having different types of developmental networks in their careers. We conclude with strategies both for testing our propositions and for researching multiple developmental relationships further.