Network theory

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

Street network analysis "edge effects": examining the sensitivity of centrality measures to boundary conditions

Abstract: With increased interest in the use of network analysis to study the urban and regional environment, it is important to understand the sensitivity of centrality analysis results to the so-called “edge effect”. Most street network models have artificial boundaries, and there are principles that can be applied to minimise or eliminate the effect of the boundary condition. However, the extent of this impact has not been systematically studied and remains little understood. In this article we present an empirical study on the impact of different network model boundaries on the results of closeness and betweenness centrality analysis of street networks. The results demonstrate that the centrality measures are affected differently by the edge effect, and that the same centrality measure is affected differently depending on the type of network distance used. These results highlight the importance, in any study of street networks, of defining the network's boundary in a way that is relevant to the research question, and of selecting appropriate analysis parameters and statistics.

The Role of Ego Networks in Manufacturing Joint Venture Formations

Abstract: This article develops a network theory�based framework of manufacturing joint venture formations and provides an empirical test in the context of the automotive industry. Hypotheses are developed regarding the implications of the network structure for a firm's partner selection in manufacturing joint ventures. The roles of network theory constructs such as ego network size, ego network density, and ego network betweenness centrality on new manufacturing joint venture formations are explored using a dynamic framework. A comprehensive time series panel dataset with 3,247,124 observations containing the joint venture information of 1,158 automotive firms collectively engaging in 589 manufacturing joint ventures over 19 years is utilized to test the hypotheses. Results provide strong empirical support for the role of network structure in equity-based partnership formation. Specifically, ego network size and ego network betweenness centrality of both the focal manufacturer and potential partner have significant effects on new manufacturing joint venture formations. Findings regarding the role of ego network density are mixed

Centrality measure in graphs

Abstract: Centrality of an edge of a graph is proposed to be viewed as a degree of global sensitivity of a graph distance function (i.e., a graph metric) on the weight of the considered edge. For different choices of distance function, contact is made with several previous ideas of centrality, whence their different characteristics are clarified, and strengths or short-comings are indicated, via selected examples. The centrality based on “resistance distance” exhibits several nice features, and might be termed “amongness” centrality.