SNA of a US Embassy

The American staff at US Embassies is in constant flux since Foreign Service Officers (FSOs) are assigned to one embassy for two to four years. On the other hand, the Locally Employed Staff (LES) at the embassies is comprised of local citizens who retain their posts for many years. Diplomacy is based on building and maintaining relationships, and networks of relationships, so how are these relationships perpetuated with such consistent and frequent turnover of FSOs? Incoming FSOs are dependent upon their predecessors leaving detailed notes of their knowledge and contacts as well as the information provided by the LES as they learn about their new post. Additionally, new FSOs must be introduced to the networks outside the embassy and within in order to be successful diplomats. Due to the dichotomic relationship of LES and FSOs – with LES having large amounts of information and access to social networks, a social network analysis of a US embassy could be particularly insightful and helpful. The built-in high turnover rate adds an additional point of interest for a social network analysis of such a traditionally hierarchical organization.

An SNA of an embassy would have to pass approval by the State Department and the ambassador at the targeted embassy. Once approved, the SNA could be conducted through use of a survey posted online. In the survey it would be extremely important to use directed ties.

Since diplomacy is based on relationships, a survey would need to include communication questions on two different levels:

1) How often do you turn to this person for information?

2) How often do you turn to this person for introductions to others within the embassy?

3) How often do you turn to this person for introductions to others outside the embassy?

Attribute questions:

1) FSO or LES

2) Rank (GS level)

3) Gender

4) Track (Management, Economic, Political, Public Diplomacy, Consular)

5) Length of time at post

Such an analysis could answer, and bring up, many questions. We assume that the FSOs are turning to the LES for information, but to what extent is that true? Who are the brokers or bottlenecks? Who are the bridges? How does length of service at post affect a person’s connectivity in the network? Are the tracks very isolated from one another? Do the FSOs and LES have sufficient contact? It would also be important to see how gender affects interactions.