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A model for dynamic communicators

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 July 2012

ALEXANDER V. MANTZARIS  and
DESMOND J. HIGHAM
ALEXANDER V. MANTZARIS
Affiliation:
Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G1 1XH, UK e-mail: [email protected]
DESMOND J. HIGHAM
Affiliation:
Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G1 1XH, UK e-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

We develop and test an intuitively simple dynamic network model to describe the type of time-varying connectivity structure present in many technological settings. The model assumes that nodes have an inherent hierarchy governing the emergence of new connections. This idea draws on newly established concepts in online human behaviour concerning the existence of discussion catalysts, who initiate long threads, and online leaders, who trigger feedback. We show that the model captures an important property found in e-mail and voice call data – ‘dynamic communicators’ with sufficient foresight or impact to generate effective links and having an influence that is grossly underestimated by static measures based on snaphots or aggregated data.

Keywords

Social networksComplex networksStochastic models
Type
Papers
Information
European Journal of Applied Mathematics , Volume 23 , Issue 6 , December 2012 , pp. 659 - 668
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2012

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