Corporate interlocks

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An example of a social network diagram

Corporate interlocks are a sociological description for social network patterns, particularly as found in the leadership structure of powerful corporations. Established by mathematical modeling, they are essentially similar to a sociogram. This data is of interest to a wide variety of groups, from stock traders to conspiracy theorists to political activists and spies. Since by definition such interlocks involve more than one dyad, the plural form "interlocks" is usually used.

The existence of such networks within the mathematical models is not debated, but their relevance may be. Of particular concern are that such interlocks might lead to conflicts of interest between board members and shareholders, legal conspiracy, unfair business practices, or corporate crime.

Some people compare this to well-known six degrees of separation studies, the mathematics of which may also be expressed in graph theory and network theory, among others.

It is often assumed that social networks may be used to unfair competitive advantage, violating the business ethic of transparency and full disclosure. A similar idea is expressed rhetorically in the phrase "old boy network," with all the implications of unfair advantage that such a private network brings of cabals, nineteenth-century trusts and cartels. Zaibatsu, keiretsu and chaebol are also sometimes put forward as similar forms of conglomerate "synergy."