HOMOPHILY AND HETEROPHILY IN AGRICULTURAL SUPPORT NETWORKS IN A RURAL MIGRANT COMMUNITY IN SOUTHEAST REGION (A Study Using Social Network Analysis)

Abstract

This study applies social network analysis (SNA) to examine homophily and heterophily using the Index of Qualitative Variation (IQV) in agricultural support networks among farming households in a rural migrant community in Southeast region. Analysis of three key factors - region of origin, gender, and age - reveals that heterophily dominates the networks, particularly regarding age and region of origin, while homophily is most evident in terms of gender. Male networks tend to exhibit higher homophily, whereas female networks are more diverse. Networks of individuals originating from Northern and Central Vietnam display higher levels of heterophily compared to those of Southern-origin individuals, reflecting diversity in social relationships but also highlighting their limited experience with cultivating common crops in the region, such as rubber and fruit trees.