Networks, topology and dynamics

Excerpt

Interest in network analysis has grown in recent years. Many social, economic and financial systems with large numbers of interacting agents can be conveniently described by a network. In the last decade, new theories have been developed to highlight the topological properties of network architectures, despite their apparent randomness. Networks, moreover, once included in a dynamic setting, prove to be convenient mathematical tools in modeling many phenomena. This special issue of Quality and Quantity aims at providing a state–of–the–art overview of the research currently in progress at the global level, with a special focus on applications to Economics and Social Sciences. A wide range of recent advances is offered, both theoretical and methodological, that can be of interest for academics as well as practitioners. It includes nine papers, selected through a process of blind refereeing among the communications held at NET 2010 (IULM, Milano) and NET 2011 (Milano-Bicocca, Milano) Conferences. The issue comprises roughly four Sections: Network Dynamics, Network Applications, Network Modeling, Decision Modeling. …