Applying mixed methods in social network research - The case of cooperation in a Polish tourist destination

Nowadays, social network research is being conducted more and more often. Both types of research method are applied - quantitative and qualitative - but they are usually used separately. The aim of this paper is to present how the two methods can be combined to allow for a better understanding of decisions on whether to start dyadic business cooperation with entrepreneurs in a tourist destination. The example analysed is cooperation in Wisla: a mountain tourist destination located in the south of Poland. Interviews were conducted with 48 entrepreneurs in Wisla. By using a centrality measure, the central and peripheral actors were identified: i.e. the most and the least engaged in business cooperation in Wisla. Afterwards, through interviews with these actors, their positions in the cooperation network were described and explained. By combining quantitative and qualitative social network research, determinants such as geographical location, social embeddedness and trust, amongst others, were identified as the main stimulants or barriers to starting business cooperation. The paper's conclusion is that mixed methods in network studies should be used more often due to their high usefulness and complementarity.