How does the structure of social networks affect the performance of its actors? – A case study of recyclable materials collectors in the Brazilian context

• We studied the dynamic structure of a recyclable materials network for 5 years.
• We identified actors and their relationships through network analysis indicators.
• The immersion of an actor in the network structure influenced his performance.
• There is an association between network motivation and performance over the time.
• A network immersion classification was proposed.

The creation of partnership networks between the private sector, the government, and organized civil society has called the attention of researchers in the field of strategy, mainly the association between the creation of partnerships and the organizational performance. In this sense, organizational networks studies emerge through a series of questionings, among which is the understanding of how the structure of networks affects the performance of its actors. Thus, the objective of this paper is to identify the relation between a network structure and its actors’ performance. The chosen context is a recyclable material network in the city of Curitiba, in the Brazilian state of Parana, between 2007 and 2011. Through the study, it was possible to identify the actors in the network during a period of time (from 65 actors in 2007 to 102 in 2011), as well as its structural dynamics, and the association between the network motivational variables and performance (adjusted income), along with its persistence over time.