The Effect of Commercial Spaces on the changes in Social Networks of Tehran citizens

The social structures of the society, as a network, are made up of a set of individuals and the links between them, stimulants and groups; the best way to study social structure is to study the relationships between its members. This study seeks to see how reference to megamalls and commercial complexes impact social networks (bonding, weak or local). The statistical sample of the present study is 416 individuals from three commercial complexes located in Tehran, the Iranian capital, and local stores within 500 meter of these shopping centers. Furthermore, the respondents are selected in shopping malls and local shops using a systematic sampling method considering their age and sex composition. Data from the sample was obtained through interviews. Findings of the study show that megamalls, with a coefficient of 0/17, directly impact the family social network, and with a coefficient of 0/145, have a negative impact on the local social network. On the other hand, local social network with a coefficient of 0/640 directly impacts weak tie social network. Also, the family social network with a coefficient of 0/081 has a direct effect on weak tie social network.