This paper develops and describes a new network permutation method designed to enhance the utility of structural equivalence metrics in organizational and social network analysis. This method may be particularly useful in understanding industry supply chain networks where categorization may be hindered by vertical integration and horizontal integration structures of large companies, or where individual network actors serve multiple, concurrent network roles described by more than one equivalence group. The paper demonstrates the procedure by using research data from the Florida lasers and photonics industry, and in conjunction with formal economic cluster analysis.

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