Mapping supply chains for energy retrofit

This paper introduces Social Network Analysis (SNA) for investigating retrofitting supply chains. It tests the approach by studying those undertaking whole house retrofit of social housing in a case study city. Network visualisations and metrics including network density (overall connectedness), in-degree centrality (support needed to complete a task) and closeness centrality (speed of access to information) are used to compare how communication varies through different retrofit stages. The preliminary results indicate high density networks and strong ties amongst project leaders (the local authority and tier-one contractors), indicating the transfer of tacit, complex information. These project leaders retain a high closeness centrality throughout the retrofitting process, but there are uneven flows of information, with sub-contractors experiencing infrequent communication and connection only to tier-one contractors. This does not necessarily hinder project success, but may indicate missed opportunities for shared learning. Further, as a quantitative mapping technique, SNA alone does not provide insight into the nature of the interactions taking place. The approach introduced here can be strengthened by incorporating analysis of the types of information exchanged and detailed qualitative insight into participants’ experiences of communication throughout a single retrofitting project.