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Updated: Jun 24, 2026

A Psychophysics Paradigm for the Collection and Analysis of Similarity Judgments
Published on: March 1, 2022
Similarity or dissimilarity in the relations between human service organizations
Kevin Bruynooghe1, Mieke Verhaeghe, Piet Bracke
1Department of Sociology, Ghent University, Korte Meer 5, 9000 GENT, Belgium. kbruynooghe@yahoo.com
Abstract:
Exchange theory and homophily theory give rise to counteracting expectations for the interaction between human service organizations. Based on arguments of exchange theory, more interaction is expected between dissimilar organizations having complementary resources. Based on arguments of homophily theory, organizations having similar characteristics are expected to interact more. Interorganizational relations between human service organizations in two regional networks in Flanders are examined in this study. Results indicate that human service organizations tend to cooperate more with similar organizations as several homophily effects but not one effect of dissimilarity were found to be significant. The results of this study contribute to the understanding of interorganizational networks of human service organizations and have implications for the development of integrated care.
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