Cosmopolitanism

Informal inter-organizational networks demonstrate the degree to which an organization is externally networked which in turn, indicates the degree of Cosmopolitanism [1]. Organizations that support and promote external boundary-spanning roles are more likely to implement new practices quickly [1][2][3][4][5][6]. Active participation with professional group(s), keeping up with salient literature and research findings, updating skills, and providing opportunities for external training is associated with implementation [7]. Professional knowledge typically arises because of increased boundary spanning activities, self-confidence and commitment to move beyond status quo [8]. There is a negative relationship between cosmopolitanism and implementation until clear advantages of the intervention become apparent [1][9]. But the relationship is positive once the innovation is accepted as the norm by others in the in/formal network (see Peer Pressure) [1]. Greenhalgh et al. call this external boundary spanning (internal boundary spanners are included under Network and Communications) and describe some aspects of Cosmopolitanism under informal inter-organizational networks. Several strands of research explore relationships inside and outside one’s organization and apply to both Cosmopolitanism and Networks and Communications in the Inner Setting. Social capital is one term often used to describe the quality and the extent of social interactions. Dimensions of social capital include trust, shared vision, and information sharing. Social capital can be subdivided into 1) internal bonding social capital that examines behavior within a group of people within the same facility and 2) external bridging social capital that examines connections to or with people or groups outside the facility. Each individual’s relationships with other individuals both within and outside of the organization represent that individual’s social capital. In turn, the collective networks of relationships of the individuals in an organization represent the social capital of the organization [2][10][11][12].