Fewer degrees of separation make companies more innovative, creative

August 16, 2007

"I read somewhere that everybody on this planet is separated by only six other people. Six degrees of separation between us and everyone else on this planet," quips the character Tess in John Guare's 1990 play "Six Degrees of Separation."

Researchers at the University of Washington and New York University who examined networks of companies in relation to their creative strengths have discovered that it is, indeed, a small world.

Nancy Gardner nancylou@u.washington.edu

Full Story: http://uwnews.washington.edu/ni/article.asp?articleID=36131