Jesse Fagan joined the Business School in September of 2018. He is currently a Lecturer of Data Analytics and as the Deputy Director of the Research Methods Center. Jesse earned his PhD in 2017 in the field of Management and Organizational Networks at the University of Kentucky, an MA in Sociology and BA in Mathematics / English from Colorado State University. His broad social science research background has led to a very wide range of published research: from anthropological studies of World of Warcraft, inter-organizational networks, and even emergency room substance use screening. He has consulted for non-profits, large corporations, state agencies, and schools to help them understand how the links that bind each individual together impacts performance, safety, or satisfaction.
Jesse’s doctoral studies were enriched in social network theory and analytics under his advisors Daniel Brass, Joe Labianca, and Stephen Borgatti. For his doctoral work, he was embedded with a large corporation for three years as they coordinated a post-merger integration. His dissertation research analyzed the content and social network of millions of email messages exchanged between members of the two organizations involved in the merger. His ongoing research focuses on the ways passively collected big data in organizations (such as email, meeting attendance, process flows, etc.) can be used to help organizations succeed and help employees lead a more satisfying and productive work life.
Jesse was born in Texas, has lived all over the United States, but considers Denver, Colorado, USA to be his home. He currently lives in Exeter with his wife, plays Lego with his two sons, and practices ukulele during the loading screens on his PS4.
Administrative responsibilities
- Deputy Director of Research Methods Centre
- Advanced Research Computing Service Owner's Board
Nationality: American
Qualifications
- PhD Management
- MA Sociology
- BA English & Mathematics
Links
Research interests
- Organizational network analysis
- People analytics in management
- Big data and natural language processing
- Machine learning and artificial intelligence in management
Organizations would not exist if not for the connections between people: the flows of information between people, their positive and negative interactions, their perceptions and attitudes towards others in the organization. The ways in which these components are arranged impact how well the organization performs and how people feel about their work. My research focuses on understanding how structures of relationships impact the organization and employees. I use a broad range of methods combining survey research with big data analytics of communications to form a detailed picture of organizational life and apply machine learning models to make sense of it all.
Key publications | Publications by category | Publications by year
Publications by category
Journal articles
Woehler M, Floyd T, Shah N, Marineau J, Sung W, Grosser T, Fagan J, Labianca G (In Press). Turnover During a Corporate Merger: How Workplace Network Change Influences Staying.
Journal of Applied Psychology Full text.
Fagan JM, Eddens K, Dolly J, Vanderford N, Weiss H, Levens J (2018). Assessing Research Collaboration through Co-authorship. Network Analysis.
The Journal of Research Administration,
49(1), 76-99.
Abstract:
Assessing Research Collaboration through Co-authorship. Network Analysis
Interdisciplinary research collaboration is needed to perform transformative science and accelerate innovation. The Science of Team Science strives to investigate, evaluate, and foster team science, including institutional policies that may promote or hinder collaborative interdisciplinary research and the resources and infrastructure needed to promote team science within and across institutions. Social network analysis (SNA) has emerged as a useful method to measure interdisciplinary science through the evaluation of several types of collaboration networks, including co-authorship networks. Likewise, research administrators are responsible for conducting rigorous evaluation of policies and initiatives. Within this paper, we present a case study using SNA to evaluate interprogrammatic collaboration (evidenced by co-authoring scientific papers) from 2007-2014 among scientists who are members of four formal research programs at an NCI-designated Cancer Center, the Markey Cancer Center (MCC) at the University of Kentucky. We evaluate change in network descriptives over time and implement separable temporal exponential-family random graph models (STERGMs) to estimate the effect of author and network variables on the tendency to form a co-authorship tie. We measure the diversity of the articles published over time (Blau's Index) to understand whether the changes in the co-authorship network are reflected in the diversity of articles published by research members. Over the 8-year period, we found increased inter-programmatic collaboration among research members as evidenced by co-authorship of published scientific papers. Over time, MCC Members collaborated more with others outside of their research program and outside their initial dense co-authorship groups, however tie formation continues to be driven by co-authoring with individuals of the same research program and academic department. Papers increased in diversity over time on all measures with the exception of author gender. This inter-programmatic research was fostered by policy changes in cancer center administration encouraging interdisciplinary research through both informal (e.g. annual retreats, seminar series) and formal (e.g. requiring investigators from more than two research programs on applications for pilot funding) means. Within this cancer center, interdisciplinary co-authorship increased over time as policies encouraging this collaboration were implemented. Yet, there is room for improvement in creating more interdisciplinary and diverse ties between research program members.
Abstract.
Full text.
Eddens K, Fagan JM (2018). Comparing nascent approaches for gathering alter-tie data for egocentric studies.
Social Networks,
55, 130-141.
DOI.
Eddens KS, Fagan JM, Collins T (2017). An Interactive, Mobile-Based Tool for Personal Social Network Data Collection and Visualization Among a Geographically Isolated and Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Population: Early-Stage Feasibility Study with Qualitative User Feedback.
JMIR Res Protoc,
6(6).
Abstract:
An Interactive, Mobile-Based Tool for Personal Social Network Data Collection and Visualization Among a Geographically Isolated and Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Population: Early-Stage Feasibility Study with Qualitative User Feedback.
BACKGROUND: Personal social networks have a profound impact on our health, yet collecting personal network data for use in health communication, behavior change, or translation and dissemination interventions has proved challenging. Recent advances in social network data collection software have reduced the burden of network studies on researchers and respondents alike, yet little testing has occurred to discover whether these methods are: (1) acceptable to a variety of target populations, including those who may have limited experience with technology or limited literacy; and (2) practical in the field, specifically in areas that are geographically and technologically disconnected, such as rural Appalachian Kentucky. OBJECTIVE: We explored the early-stage feasibility (Acceptability, Demand, Implementation, and Practicality) of using innovative, interactive, tablet-based network data collection and visualization software (OpenEddi) in field collection of personal network data in Appalachian Kentucky. METHODS: a total of 168 rural Appalachian women who had previously participated in a study on the use of a self-collected vaginal swab (SCVS) for human papillomavirus testing were recruited by community-based nurse interviewers between September 2013 and August 2014. Participants completed egocentric network surveys via OpenEddi, which captured social and communication network influences on participation in, and recruitment to, the SCVS study. After study completion, we conducted a qualitative group interview with four nurse interviewers and two participants in the network study. Using this qualitative data, and quantitative data from the network study, we applied guidelines from Bowen et al to assess feasibility in four areas of early-stage development of OpenEddi: Acceptability, Demand, Implementation, and Practicality. Basic descriptive network statistics (size, edges, density) were analyzed using RStudio. RESULTS: OpenEddi was perceived as fun, novel, and superior to other data collection methods or tools. Respondents enjoyed the social network survey component, and visualizing social networks produced thoughtful responses from participants about leveraging or changing network content and structure for specific health-promoting purposes. Areas for improved literacy and functionality of the tool were identified. However, technical issues led to substantial (50%) data loss, limiting the success of its implementation from a researcher's perspective, and hindering practicality in the field. CONCLUSIONS: OpenEddi is a promising data collection tool for use in geographically isolated and socioeconomically disadvantaged populations. Future development will mitigate technical problems, improve usability and literacy, and test new methods of data collection. These changes will support goals for use of this tool in the delivery of network-based health communication and social support interventions to socioeconomically disadvantaged populations.
Abstract.
Author URL.
DOI.
Sung W, Woehler ML, Fagan JM, Grosser TJ, Floyd TM, Labianca GJ (2017). Employees’ responses to an organizational merger: Intraindividual change in organizational identification, attachment, and turnover.
Journal of Applied Psychology,
102(6), 910-934.
DOI.
Broderick KB, Richmond MK, Fagan J, Long AW (2015). Pilot Validation of a Brief Screen Tool for Substance Use Detection in Emergency Care.
The Journal of Emergency Medicine,
49(3), 369-374.
DOI.
Snodgrass JG, Dengah HJF, Lacy MG, Fagan J (2013). A formal anthropological view of motivation models of problematic MMO play: Achievement, social, and immersion factors in the context of culture.
Transcultural Psychiatry,
50(2), 235-262.
DOI.
Snodgrass JG, Dengah HJF, Lacy MG, Fagan J, Most D, Blank M, Howard L, Kershner CR, Krambeer G, Leavitt-Reynolds A, et al (2012). Restorative Magical Adventure or Warcrack? Motivated MMO Play and the Pleasures and Perils of Online Experience.
Games and Culture,
7(1), 3-28.
DOI.
Snodgrass JG, Lacy MG, Francois Dengah HJ, Fagan J (2011). Enhancing one life rather than living two: Playing MMOs with offline friends.
Computers in Human Behavior,
27(3), 1211-1222.
DOI.
Cross JE, Dickmann E, Newman-Gonchar R, Fagan JM (2009). Using Mixed-Method Design and Network Analysis to Measure Development of Interagency Collaboration.
American Journal of Evaluation,
30(3), 310-329.
DOI.
Conferences
Sung W, Labianca GJ, Fagan JM (2018). Executives’ network change and their promotability during a merger. Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management.
Abstract:
Executives’ network change and their promotability during a merger
Abstract.
Full text.
DOI.
Publications by year
In Press
Woehler M, Floyd T, Shah N, Marineau J, Sung W, Grosser T, Fagan J, Labianca G (In Press). Turnover During a Corporate Merger: How Workplace Network Change Influences Staying.
Journal of Applied Psychology Full text.
2018
Fagan JM, Eddens K, Dolly J, Vanderford N, Weiss H, Levens J (2018). Assessing Research Collaboration through Co-authorship. Network Analysis.
The Journal of Research Administration,
49(1), 76-99.
Abstract:
Assessing Research Collaboration through Co-authorship. Network Analysis
Interdisciplinary research collaboration is needed to perform transformative science and accelerate innovation. The Science of Team Science strives to investigate, evaluate, and foster team science, including institutional policies that may promote or hinder collaborative interdisciplinary research and the resources and infrastructure needed to promote team science within and across institutions. Social network analysis (SNA) has emerged as a useful method to measure interdisciplinary science through the evaluation of several types of collaboration networks, including co-authorship networks. Likewise, research administrators are responsible for conducting rigorous evaluation of policies and initiatives. Within this paper, we present a case study using SNA to evaluate interprogrammatic collaboration (evidenced by co-authoring scientific papers) from 2007-2014 among scientists who are members of four formal research programs at an NCI-designated Cancer Center, the Markey Cancer Center (MCC) at the University of Kentucky. We evaluate change in network descriptives over time and implement separable temporal exponential-family random graph models (STERGMs) to estimate the effect of author and network variables on the tendency to form a co-authorship tie. We measure the diversity of the articles published over time (Blau's Index) to understand whether the changes in the co-authorship network are reflected in the diversity of articles published by research members. Over the 8-year period, we found increased inter-programmatic collaboration among research members as evidenced by co-authorship of published scientific papers. Over time, MCC Members collaborated more with others outside of their research program and outside their initial dense co-authorship groups, however tie formation continues to be driven by co-authoring with individuals of the same research program and academic department. Papers increased in diversity over time on all measures with the exception of author gender. This inter-programmatic research was fostered by policy changes in cancer center administration encouraging interdisciplinary research through both informal (e.g. annual retreats, seminar series) and formal (e.g. requiring investigators from more than two research programs on applications for pilot funding) means. Within this cancer center, interdisciplinary co-authorship increased over time as policies encouraging this collaboration were implemented. Yet, there is room for improvement in creating more interdisciplinary and diverse ties between research program members.
Abstract.
Full text.
Eddens K, Fagan JM (2018). Comparing nascent approaches for gathering alter-tie data for egocentric studies.
Social Networks,
55, 130-141.
DOI.
Sung W, Labianca GJ, Fagan JM (2018). Executives’ network change and their promotability during a merger. Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management.
Abstract:
Executives’ network change and their promotability during a merger
Abstract.
Full text.
DOI.
2017
Eddens KS, Fagan JM, Collins T (2017). An Interactive, Mobile-Based Tool for Personal Social Network Data Collection and Visualization Among a Geographically Isolated and Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Population: Early-Stage Feasibility Study with Qualitative User Feedback.
JMIR Res Protoc,
6(6).
Abstract:
An Interactive, Mobile-Based Tool for Personal Social Network Data Collection and Visualization Among a Geographically Isolated and Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Population: Early-Stage Feasibility Study with Qualitative User Feedback.
BACKGROUND: Personal social networks have a profound impact on our health, yet collecting personal network data for use in health communication, behavior change, or translation and dissemination interventions has proved challenging. Recent advances in social network data collection software have reduced the burden of network studies on researchers and respondents alike, yet little testing has occurred to discover whether these methods are: (1) acceptable to a variety of target populations, including those who may have limited experience with technology or limited literacy; and (2) practical in the field, specifically in areas that are geographically and technologically disconnected, such as rural Appalachian Kentucky. OBJECTIVE: We explored the early-stage feasibility (Acceptability, Demand, Implementation, and Practicality) of using innovative, interactive, tablet-based network data collection and visualization software (OpenEddi) in field collection of personal network data in Appalachian Kentucky. METHODS: a total of 168 rural Appalachian women who had previously participated in a study on the use of a self-collected vaginal swab (SCVS) for human papillomavirus testing were recruited by community-based nurse interviewers between September 2013 and August 2014. Participants completed egocentric network surveys via OpenEddi, which captured social and communication network influences on participation in, and recruitment to, the SCVS study. After study completion, we conducted a qualitative group interview with four nurse interviewers and two participants in the network study. Using this qualitative data, and quantitative data from the network study, we applied guidelines from Bowen et al to assess feasibility in four areas of early-stage development of OpenEddi: Acceptability, Demand, Implementation, and Practicality. Basic descriptive network statistics (size, edges, density) were analyzed using RStudio. RESULTS: OpenEddi was perceived as fun, novel, and superior to other data collection methods or tools. Respondents enjoyed the social network survey component, and visualizing social networks produced thoughtful responses from participants about leveraging or changing network content and structure for specific health-promoting purposes. Areas for improved literacy and functionality of the tool were identified. However, technical issues led to substantial (50%) data loss, limiting the success of its implementation from a researcher's perspective, and hindering practicality in the field. CONCLUSIONS: OpenEddi is a promising data collection tool for use in geographically isolated and socioeconomically disadvantaged populations. Future development will mitigate technical problems, improve usability and literacy, and test new methods of data collection. These changes will support goals for use of this tool in the delivery of network-based health communication and social support interventions to socioeconomically disadvantaged populations.
Abstract.
Author URL.
DOI.
Sung W, Woehler ML, Fagan JM, Grosser TJ, Floyd TM, Labianca GJ (2017). Employees’ responses to an organizational merger: Intraindividual change in organizational identification, attachment, and turnover.
Journal of Applied Psychology,
102(6), 910-934.
DOI.
2015
Broderick KB, Richmond MK, Fagan J, Long AW (2015). Pilot Validation of a Brief Screen Tool for Substance Use Detection in Emergency Care.
The Journal of Emergency Medicine,
49(3), 369-374.
DOI.
2013
Snodgrass JG, Dengah HJF, Lacy MG, Fagan J (2013). A formal anthropological view of motivation models of problematic MMO play: Achievement, social, and immersion factors in the context of culture.
Transcultural Psychiatry,
50(2), 235-262.
DOI.
2012
Snodgrass JG, Dengah HJF, Lacy MG, Fagan J, Most D, Blank M, Howard L, Kershner CR, Krambeer G, Leavitt-Reynolds A, et al (2012). Restorative Magical Adventure or Warcrack? Motivated MMO Play and the Pleasures and Perils of Online Experience.
Games and Culture,
7(1), 3-28.
DOI.
2011
Snodgrass JG, Lacy MG, Francois Dengah HJ, Fagan J (2011). Enhancing one life rather than living two: Playing MMOs with offline friends.
Computers in Human Behavior,
27(3), 1211-1222.
DOI.
2009
Cross JE, Dickmann E, Newman-Gonchar R, Fagan JM (2009). Using Mixed-Method Design and Network Analysis to Measure Development of Interagency Collaboration.
American Journal of Evaluation,
30(3), 310-329.
DOI.
My current teaching is focused on quantitative research in management, and data analytics for managers. In the past I have taught subjects such as organizational behavior, interpersonal skills, and group / team dynamics at both the undergraduate and graduate level.
I try to teach in the form of a flipped classroom. Students are expected to read, watch, listen, or pratice material before coming to class. Class time is used to elaborate on the material or collaboratively work on real-world problems. The classroom is blended and combines rich array of media and activities.
Modules
2020/21