The Importance of Networks

             The article, “Why Networks Matter” by Manuel Castells, was very interesting and made many great points. Networks are important because they keep society interconnected and play a role in organizing communication.

            Most would believe that networks are important to today’s competitive market. Responsiveness and speed to a customer or supplier demand is often a decisive factor in the success of a business. The network is the most critical resource in an organization. It shares product and pricing information from vendors. This would relate to Castells second outcome, that networked organizations out beat any other kind of organization. This is why businesses that use networks are more successful. Larger firms are internally networked unlike small and medium size firms. But, leaves room for generating ideas for improving small business marketing and management. Businesses that are networked are more successful because they are more likely to develop and adopt innovative processes, products, and strategies. Also, networks play an important role in providing and supporting economic change.

            Another major point on the importance of networks is that it connects people socially. He makes the point that the world lives in a highly individualistic society and a highly networked society. Networks bring people together to share beliefs, issues or ideas with others and then receive feedback. This gives people a sense of belonging but also connects them with people who have the same interests. Castells puts this under the category of virtual communities. By living in a network society, it opens doors for people who are not social in person and give them a chance to express themselves and connect with people through the web.

            Castells ending comment “Networks are the matrix,” doesn’t support the claims he makes in the article. It confuses readers to question whether the network is a structure, like he claims, or is it not a reality? Networks do make up our lives but Castells could have made that point without comparing that to a fictional movie. In conclusion, networks are very important in the business world and in the social society. The network is keeping society interconnected more than ever before and is expanding in the business world.