A common claim is that mafia families arrange marriages strategically to seal alliances, cement partnerships and enhance cohesion. However, this claim is mainly based on anecdotal evidence and limited case studies. In this paper, by relying on an original database of biographical and relational information on over 4,600 members, we carry out the first large-scale exploratory analysis of the network of interfamily marriages in ’Ndrangheta. Our analysis shows that this alliance network is polycentric, made up of cohesive subgroups centered around well-connected, powerful families, that occupy different positions in the network. The presence of patterns suggests that marriages in ’Ndrangheta are possibly the result of family strategies to explore and exploit their power and business. We discuss the implications of these findings for the study of marriages as an organizational instrument.

Catino, M., Rocchi, S., Vittucci Marzetti, G. (2022). The network of interfamily marriages in 'Ndrangheta. SOCIAL NETWORKS, 68(January 2022), 318-329 [10.1016/j.socnet.2021.08.012].

The network of interfamily marriages in 'Ndrangheta

Catino, M
;
Rocchi, S
;
Vittucci Marzetti, G
2022

Abstract

A common claim is that mafia families arrange marriages strategically to seal alliances, cement partnerships and enhance cohesion. However, this claim is mainly based on anecdotal evidence and limited case studies. In this paper, by relying on an original database of biographical and relational information on over 4,600 members, we carry out the first large-scale exploratory analysis of the network of interfamily marriages in ’Ndrangheta. Our analysis shows that this alliance network is polycentric, made up of cohesive subgroups centered around well-connected, powerful families, that occupy different positions in the network. The presence of patterns suggests that marriages in ’Ndrangheta are possibly the result of family strategies to explore and exploit their power and business. We discuss the implications of these findings for the study of marriages as an organizational instrument.
Articolo in rivista - Articolo scientifico
Alliance network; Interfamily marriages; Mafia; Trust; ’Ndrangheta;
English
9-set-2021
2022
68
January 2022
318
329
open
Catino, M., Rocchi, S., Vittucci Marzetti, G. (2022). The network of interfamily marriages in 'Ndrangheta. SOCIAL NETWORKS, 68(January 2022), 318-329 [10.1016/j.socnet.2021.08.012].
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10281/324695
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