Topic
Network theory
About: Network theory is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 2257 publications have been published within this topic receiving 109864 citations.
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TL;DR: The principles of topological network theory are described, as well as the possible rules for translating LCA and IOA systems into a formal network, and they are applied to two cases, the ecoinvent LCA database and the monetary IOtable for the European Union in 2007.
Abstract: One way to study complex systems is by methods from topological network theory, that concentrate on the topological structure of the system in terms of vertices (nodes) and edges that connect pairs of vertices. The last two decades, topological network theory has seen a wide range of applications. In this paper, we explore its potential for two of the model systems that are central to industrial ecology (IE): life cycle assessment (LCA) and input-output analysis (IOA), with the aim of finding out whether this theory offers insights that are useful to IE. We describe the principles of topological network theory, as well as the possible rules for translating LCA and IOA systems into a formal network. We apply this theory to two cases, the ecoinvent LCA database, and the monetary IOtable for the European Union in 2007. Our conclusions are mixed. It is not entirely clear what the resulting network indicators imply for a specific LCA case or IOA case. Although the results obtained are perfectly explainable and thus do make sense, they appear to be very sensitive to arbitrary choices, such as the level of aggregation. Moreover, it appears to be difficult to include the environmental aspect in the network analysis, so that we end up with analyzing an industrial network rather than industrial-ecological network.
12 citations
TL;DR: An extension of the Cauer formulation is discussed which, by applying the transformation directly to the element parameter matrices, places the elements of the transformed network directly in evidence.
Abstract: : An extension of the Cauer formulation of the equivalent network theory problem is discussed which applies the transformations directly to the element parameter matrices, thereby placing the elements of the transformed network directly in evidence. The method of steepest descent is applied to choose the arbitrary parameters of the transformation in order to derive optimal networks, that is, networks with minimum number of elements and/or minimum element distribution.
12 citations
TL;DR: It is shown that the existence of capacity constrains in the amount of links an agent can maintain introduces a transition from dissortative to assortative networks.
Abstract: We consider a dynamic model of network formation where agents form and sever links based on the centrality of their potential partners. We show that the existence of capacity constrains in the amount of links an agent can maintain introduces a transition from dissortative to assortative networks. This effect can shed light on the distinction between technological and social networks as it gives a simple mechanism explaining how and why this transition occurs.
12 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the influence of social network structure on positions taken by local leaders in supporting or opposing the proposed energy plant was examined empirically, and the findings illustrate that perceptions of economic development and its impact on the environment as well as network structure influence the positions taken toward the proposed coal-fired plant in the community.
Abstract: Local community collective action has been identified as a key ingredient in community response to change. Network theorists suggest that the social network structure of a community impacts local capacity to adapt to change. This paper summarizes network theory and then draws upon a case study of a Western community where a proposed coal-fired power plant has created conflict over the environmental, aesthetic, economic, and quality-of-life implications of the proposed development. Within this context we examine empirically the influence of social network structure on positions taken by local leaders in supporting or opposing the proposed energy plant. The findings illustrate that perceptions of economic development and its impact on the environment as well as network structure influence the positions taken toward the proposed coal-fired plant in the community.
12 citations
23 May 2012
TL;DR: Results indicate that the ANC is a small-world (SW) network with short average path length and high degree of clustering and its degree distribution follows a double scaling law, whereas the ARNC just displays scale-free property and it isn't asmall-world network.
Abstract: The China Air Traffic System (ATS) is facing several substantial challenges, such as the growth of delay, delay propagation and airspace congestion with increasing air traffic flow. As ATS is a complex adaptive system, it is required a systematic analysis. Modern network theory can provide a useful systematic analysis approach to get the mechanism from topology structure characteristics. This paper examines two network structures of the current ATS with complex network approach: the Airport Network of China (ANC) and the Air Route Network of China (ARNC). Measures for overall network structure include degree distribution, average path length and clustering coefficient. Results indicate that the ANC is a small-world (SW) network with short average path length (5.05) and high degree of clustering (0.7659) and its degree distribution follows a double scaling law. Whereas the ARNC just displays scale-free property and it isn't a small-world network with an average path length of 18.1 and a small clustering coefficient of 0.0809.
12 citations