Titre du document / Document title

The role of metanetworks in network evolution

Auteur(s) / Author(s)

WILLER Robb ⁽¹⁾ ;

Affiliation(s) du ou des auteurs / Author(s) Affiliation(s)

⁽¹⁾ Department of Sociology, University of California, Berkeley, California, ETATS-UNIS

Résumé / Abstract

The question of what structures of relations between actors emerge in the evolution of social networks is of fundamental sociological interest. The present research proposes that processes of network evolution can be usefully conceptualized in terms of a network of networks, or "metanetwork," wherein networks that are one link manipulation away from one another are connected. Moreover, the geography of metanetworks has real effects on the course of network evolution. Specifically, both equilibrium and non-equilibrium networks located in more desirable regions of the metanetwork are found to be more probable. These effects of metanetwork geography are illustrated by two dynamic network models: one in which actors pursue access to unique information through "structural holes," and the other in which actors pursue access to valid information by minimizing path length. Finally, I discuss future directions for modeling network dynamics in terms of metanetworks.

Revue / Journal Title

The Journal of mathematical sociology    ISSN  0022-250X 

Source / Source

Congrès
American-Japanese Joint Conference on Mathematical Sociology N^o3, Sapporo , JAPON (2005)
2007, vol. 31, n^o 2, pp. 97-204 [Document : 19 p.] (2 p.1/4), [Notes: notes dissem., Selected papers], pp. 101-119 [19 page(s) (article)]

Langue / Language

Anglais

Editeur / Publisher

Taylor & Francis, Philadelphia, PA, ETATS-UNIS  (1971) (Revue)

Mots-clés anglais / English Keywords

Social structure

;

Social network

;

Network

;

Mathematical Sociology

;

Mots-clés français / French Keywords

Structure sociale

;

Réseau social

;

Réseau

;

Sociologie mathématique

;

Mots-clés d'auteur / Author Keywords

mathematical sociology

;

metanetworks

;

network dynamics

;

network evolution

;

social network analysis

;

social structure

;

Localisation / Location

INIST-CNRS, Cote INIST : 22248, 35400014958996.0020