more importantly noted the importance of the ‘strength of ties’ in affecting the success
of job search efforts. Granovetter argues that ‘weak ties’ (acquaintances, colleagues)
provide more important, ‘non-redundant’ job information than do ‘strong ties’ (kin and
close friends). Networks of acquaintances or weak ties tend to be less ‘dense’ and closely
knit, and therefore offer a wider range of contacts, with important consequences for the
dissemination of information about job opportunities.
The potential value of social networks to the job search process has particular
relevance in rural areas (Beggs et al., 1996; Reimer, 1997; Hofferth and Iceland, 1998).
Despite apparent recent changes in the character of the countryside due to gradual
industrialisation and commuter belt expansion, social relations within rural communities
have retained a distinctive culture and dynamic, and informal networks continue to play
an important role in rural life, particularly in more remote areas (Halfacree, 1994). Beggs
et al. (1996) argue that personal networks in rural areas tend to be small, dense and
homogenous. They involve less frequent contact, and are more likely to be based on
kinship and neighbourhood rather than loose friendships. Such personal networks also
tend to be characterised by multiplexity, in terms of the multiple roles played by
participants and different forms of social resource exchanged within relationships. The
density of rural networks (i.e. their strong inter-connectedness) and their resulting
homogeneity can therefore contribute to social and labour market exclusion -
unemployed people in rural areas have more restricted access to the ‘weak ties’ that
contribute to successful job seeking. Furthermore, disadvantaged groups, such as the
long-term unemployed and others with weak work records (for example young people)
will particularly struggle to access social networks and identify job opportunities (Lindsay
et al., 2001; Pavis et al., 2001).
This paper does not seek to specifically address the importance of the ‘strength of
ties’ in job search success. Exit information was not gathered from interview