This study evaluates the role of social network research in exploring its current application within forest research and identify potential for building connections. Through a systematic literature review of 135 articles, we investigate the theoretical and methodological nuances of social network research, highlighting the predominance of ontological and epistemological underpinnings of network theories as well as the pre-eminence of structural approaches. Our review identifies a significant emphasis on second-generation social network analysis (SNA) methods in the literature, which primarily focus on network structures. We find a limited application of relational and ideational perspectives offered by first and third-generation approaches. The literature review reveals that social network theories, although crucial, are underutilized beyond their ontological and epistemological underpinnings in forest research. Our findings demonstrate that social networks are essential for knowledge exchange, trust and power. However, the integration of comprehensive social network theories into forest research remains limited, suggesting the potential for further application in forest research. We emphasize the need for a more diversified methodological approach that extends beyond structural analysis to include more qualitative and ideational frameworks. By broadening the scope of social network applications, forest research can more effectively tackle the complexities of sustainable management and governance. This shift could lead to more robust strategies to cope with the challenges posed by environmental changes and complex stakeholder dynamics in forest governance.

中文翻译：

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建立联系：探索森林科学中的社交网络研究


本研究评估了社交网络研究在探索其当前在森林研究中的应用方面的作用，并确定了建立联系的潜力。通过对 135 篇文章的系统文献综述，我们研究了社交网络研究的理论和方法论的细微差别，强调了网络理论的本体论和认识论基础的主导地位以及结构方法的卓越性。我们的综述确定了文献中对第二代社交网络分析 （SNA） 方法的重视，该方法主要关注网络结构。我们发现第一代和第三代方法提供的关系和意识形态观点的应用有限。文献综述表明，社交网络理论虽然至关重要，但在森林研究中，除了其本体论和认识论基础之外，尚未得到充分利用。我们的研究结果表明，社交网络对于知识交流、信任和权力至关重要。然而，将综合社会网络理论整合到森林研究中仍然有限，这表明在森林研究中进一步应用的潜力。我们强调需要一种更多样化的方法，该方法超越结构分析，包括更多的定性和概念框架。通过拓宽社交网络的应用范围，森林研究可以更有效地解决可持续管理和治理的复杂性。这种转变可能会带来更稳健的战略，以应对环境变化和森林治理中复杂的利益相关者动态带来的挑战。