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A Review of Developmental Networks

Shoshana R. Dobrow1; Dawn E. Chandler2; Wendy M. Murphy3; Kathy E. Kram4

1 Fordham University · 2 California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo · 3 Babson College · 4 Boston University

Journal of Management 2012

During the past decade, mentoring research has broadened from its traditional dyadic perspective to examine the support provided by a “developmental network.” This article reviews the literature on developmental networks—groups of people who take an active interest in and action toward advancing a protégé’s career. Building on positive organizational scholarship (POS) research on high-quality connections and relationships, the authors propose that a “mutuality perspective,” or taking the viewpoints of all members of the developmental network into account, is a notable gap in developmental network research. They apply this perspective to developmental networks research and discuss implications and avenues for future inquiry. As part of their review, the authors clarify the boundaries of the developmental network construct. They also identify and discuss four research streams that encompass extant studies of developmental networks. This article extends previous reviews of the broad field of dyadic mentoring by providing the first systematic review of developmental network research.

DOI
10.1177/0149206311415858
Volume
38 (1)
Pages
210-242
Language
en
Export
BibTeX
Sources
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