Network theory

About: Network theory is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 2257 publications have been published within this topic receiving 109864 citations.

Temporal Networks

Abstract: A great variety of systems in nature, society and technology -- from the web of sexual contacts to the Internet, from the nervous system to power grids -- can be modeled as graphs of vertices coupled by edges The network structure, describing how the graph is wired, helps us understand, predict and optimize the behavior of dynamical systems In many cases, however, the edges are not continuously active As an example, in networks of communication via email, text messages, or phone calls, edges represent sequences of instantaneous or practically instantaneous contacts In some cases, edges are active for non-negligible periods of time: eg, the proximity patterns of inpatients at hospitals can be represented by a graph where an edge between two individuals is on throughout the time they are at the same ward Like network topology, the temporal structure of edge activations can affect dynamics of systems interacting through the network, from disease contagion on the network of patients to information diffusion over an e-mail network In this review, we present the emergent field of temporal networks, and discuss methods for analyzing topological and temporal structure and models for elucidating their relation to the behavior of dynamical systems In the light of traditional network theory, one can see this framework as moving the information of when things happen from the dynamical system on the network, to the network itself Since fundamental properties, such as the transitivity of edges, do not necessarily hold in temporal networks, many of these methods need to be quite different from those for static networks

Networks and Organizations: Structure, Form and Action

Abstract: Part 1 Linking structure and action: problems of explanation in economic sociology the social structure of competition agency as control in formal networks Nadel's paradox revisited - relational and cultural aspects of organizational structure doing your job and helping your friends - universalistic norms about obligations to particular others in networks structural alignments, individual strategies and managerial action - elements towards a network theory of getting things done. Part 2 Different network ties and their implications: centrality and power in organizations the strength of strong ties - the importance of philos in organizations information and search in the creation of new business ventures - the case of the 128 Venture Group complementary communication media - a comparison of electronic mail and face-to-face communication in a programming team face-to-face - making network organizations work. Part 3 Organizational environmental relations as inter-organizational networks: strategic alliances in commercial biotechnology the make-or-cooperate decision in the context of an industry network competitive co-operation in biotechnology - learning through networks? Part 4 Network forms of organizations: the network organization in theory and practice fragments of a cognitive theory of technological change and organizational structure small-firm networks on the limits of a firm-based theory to explain business networks - the Western bias of neoclassical economics the organization of business networks in the United States and Japan. Conclusion: making network research relevant to practice.

Multilayer Networks

Abstract: In most natural and engineered systems, a set of entities interact with each other in complicated patterns that can encompass multiple types of relationships, change in time, and include other types of complications Such systems include multiple subsystems and layers of connectivity, and it is important to take such "multilayer" features into account to try to improve our understanding of complex systems Consequently, it is necessary to generalize "traditional" network theory by developing (and validating) a framework and associated tools to study multilayer systems in a comprehensive fashion The origins of such efforts date back several decades and arose in multiple disciplines, and now the study of multilayer networks has become one of the most important directions in network science In this paper, we discuss the history of multilayer networks (and related concepts) and review the exploding body of work on such networks To unify the disparate terminology in the large body of recent work, we discuss a general framework for multilayer networks, construct a dictionary of terminology to relate the numerous existing concepts to each other, and provide a thorough discussion that compares, contrasts, and translates between related notions such as multilayer networks, multiplex networks, interdependent networks, networks of networks, and many others We also survey and discuss existing data sets that can be represented as multilayer networks We review attempts to generalize single-layer-network diagnostics to multilayer networks We also discuss the rapidly expanding research on multilayer-network models and notions like community structure, connected components, tensor decompositions, and various types of dynamical processes on multilayer networks We conclude with a summary and an outlook