In today’s network economy no organization is an island. Many resources and processes that are import- ant for the functioning and performance of organizations no longer reside within its own boundaries but are often (partially) controlled by others. As a result, organizations are involved in many different types of inter-organizational relations and networks ranging from informal collaborations to formal strategic alliances. Given the rising prominence of such inter-organizational relations and networks in our economy, understanding the formation, functioning and consequences of them is of critical importance. The course Social Networks and Organizations will equip you with such understanding.