Granovetter is probably correct in observing that, when faced with the choice, individuals and organizations invariably opt to transact with those of known reputation or, better yet, with those with whom they have had past dealings (1985, p. 440). His use of examples, cited earlier, of the social ties that bind established firms and their members who are engaged in repetitive transactions or have ongoing relationships in the same community, industry, or labor market clearly illustrates this preference. But embedding agency in social relations is not always possible. Indeed, there is a systemic link between the sources of agency-particularly those bridging physical and social distance and facilitating collective actionand the absence of opportunities to personalize these relationships.

Shapiro, Susan P., The Social Control of Imper…, loc. 40