scholarly journals Network Structure, Collaborative Context, and Individual Creativity

2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 1739-1765 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Soda ◽  
Diego Stea ◽  
Torben Pedersen

The debate on whether bonding or bridging ties are more beneficial for acquiring knowledge that is conducive to individual creativity has mostly overlooked the context in which such ties are formed. We challenge the widespread assumption that closed, heavily bonded networks imply a collaborative attitude on the part of the embedded actors and propose that the level of collaboration in a network can be independent from that network’s structural characteristics, such that it moderates the effects of closed and brokering network positions on the acquisition of knowledge that supports creativity. Individuals embedded in closed networks acquire more knowledge and become more creative when the level of collaboration in their network is high. Brokers who arbitrage information across disconnected contacts acquire more knowledge and become more creative when collaboration is low. An analysis of employee-level, single-firm data supports these ideas.

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 796
Author(s):  
Shimei Wei ◽  
Jinghu Pan

In light of the long-term pressure and short-term impact of economic and technological globalization, regional and urban resilience has become an important issue in research. As a new organizational form of regional urban systems, the resilience of urban networks generated by flow space has emerged as a popular subject of research. By gathering 2017 data from the Baidu search index, the Tencent location service, and social statistics, this study constructs information, transportation, and economic networks among 344 cities in China to analyze the spatial patterns of urban networks and explore their structural characteristics from the perspectives of hierarchy and assortativity. Transmissibility and diversity were used to represent the resilience of the network structure in interruption scenarios (node failure and maximum load attack). The results show the following: The information, transportation, and economic networks of cities at the prefecture level and higher in China exhibit a dense pattern of spatial distribution in the east and a sparse pattern in the west; however, there are significant differences in terms of hierarchy and assortativity. The order of resilience of network transmissibility and diversity from strong to weak was information, economic, transportation. Transmissibility and diversity had nearly identical scores in response to the interruption of urban nodes. Moreover, a highly heterogeneous network was more likely to cause shocks to the network structure, owing to its cross-regional urban links in case of disturbance. We identified 12 dominant nodes and 93 vulnerable nodes that can help accurately determine the impetus behind network structure resilience. The capacity of regions for resistance and recovery can be improved by strengthening the construction of emergency systems and risk prevention mechanisms.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott DuHadway ◽  
Carlos Mena ◽  
Lisa Marie Ellram

PurposeSupply chain fraud is a significant global concern for firms, consumers and governments. Evidence of major fraud events suggests the role of supply chain structures in enabling and facilitating fraud, as they often involve several parties in complicated networks designed to obfuscate the fraud. This paper identifies how the structural characteristics of supply chains can play an important role in enabling, facilitating and preventing fraud.Design/methodology/approachThe research follows a theory elaboration approach. The authors build on structural holes theory in conjunction with a multiple case study research design to identify new concepts and develop propositions regarding the role of network structure on supply chain fraud.FindingsThis research shows how structural holes in a supply chain can create advantages for unscrupulous firms, a role we call tertius fraudans, or the cheating third. This situation is exacerbated by structural ignorance, which refers to the lack of knowledge about structural connections in the network. Both structural holes and structural ignorance can create information gaps that facilitate fraud, and the authors propose solutions to detect and prevent this kind of fraud.Originality/valueThis paper extends structural holes theory into the domain of fraud. Novel concepts including tertius fraudans, structural ignorance and bridge collapse are offered, alongside a series of propositions that can help understand and manage structural supply chain fraud.


2011 ◽  
Vol 299-300 ◽  
pp. 870-873 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bao Chun Lu ◽  
Yi Liu ◽  
Bao Guo Li ◽  
Jin Wang

A new Structural analysis method of voltage stability in large power grid is proposed based on the eigenvalue Method in this paper. the method establishes an improved current injection model of Y+D matrix of the topological structural characteristics, which is helpful to the study of mechanism of voltage instibility. Through calculating the eigenvalue of the Y+D matrix, influence of network topology structure to the voltage stable in the electrical power system is analyzed. The simulation results show that voltage stability has close relationship with topological structure of the power network structure.


Author(s):  
Stefano Brusoni ◽  
Lorenzo Cassi ◽  
Simge Tuna

AbstractThis paper looks at the different strategies that two of the tire industry’s most prominent players, Pirelli and Michelin, deployed to exploit a radical process innovation: robotized, modular manufacturing. This paper argues that Pirelli, originally the technological follower, could develop a more nuanced, complex and ultimately successful strategy thanks to its superior knowledge integration capabilities. Empirically, we examine the structural characteristics and evolution of inventors’ networks in the two companies to reveal their knowledge integration capabilities. We apply the cohesive blocking method developed by White and Harary (Sociol Methodol 31(1):305–359, 2001) to argue that Pirelli, while relying on comparable skills in terms of technical fields, leveraged a more connected, cohesive and structured skills than Michelin. On this basis, it could develop and deploy a more complex strategy that better fit the characteristics of the new process technology. Pirelli’s knowledge network structure enhanced its knowledge integration capabilities and allowed for a more efficient fit between technology and strategy.


Author(s):  
Houxing Tang ◽  
Fang Fang ◽  
Zhenzhong Ma

Background: Network structure is a critical issue for efficient interfirm knowledge sharing. The optimal node degree turns out to be decisive because it is generally regarded as a core proxy of network structural characteristics. This paper is to examine what is the optimal node degree for an efficient network structure. Methods: Based on an interaction rule combining the barter rule and the gift rule, we first describe and then build a knowledge diffusion process. Then using four factors, namely network size, network randomness, knowledge endowment of network, and knowledge stock of each firm, we examine the factors that influence the optimal node degree for efficient knowledge sharing. Results: The simulation results show that the optimal node degree can be determined along the change in outer factors. Furthermore, changing the network randomness and network size has little impact on node degree. Instead, knowledge endowment of network and knowledge stock of each firm both have significant impact on the node degree. Conclusion: We find that an optimal node degree can always be found in any condition, which confirms the existence of a balanced state. Thus, policymakers can determine the appropriate number of links to avoid redundancy and thus reduce cost in interfirm networks. We also examine how different factors influence the size of the optimal node degree, and as a result, policymakers can set an appropriate number of links under different situations.


Catalysts ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Na Qin ◽  
Wutao Wei ◽  
Chao Huang ◽  
Liwei Mi

An effective and practical in situ sulfuration approach has been developed in this work, for the fabrication of CuS with a 3D hierarchical network structure under mild preparation conditions. The prepared CuS consists of a primary structure of the multi-structure interchange copper foam precursor, and a secondary structure of nanoplates. The structural characteristics, morphologies, and photocatalytic performances of the prepared photocatalyst were investigated systematically. To evaluate the photocatalytic performance of the prepared CuS samples, we investigated the degradation of MB (methylene blue), RhB (Rhodamine B), and MB/RhB dye solutions over the samples under the irradiation of simulated solar light. Specifically, the degradation of RhB rapidly reached ≈100.0% after simulated solar light irradiation for 25 min, which is higher than those of P25 (83.0%) and bulk CuS (54.8%). For the mixed systems of MB/RhB, both the degradations of MB and RhB reached up to ≈99.0% after simulated solar light irradiation for 25 min. The superior photocatalytic performances of the prepared samples are attributed to the synergistic effects of high optical absorption, large specific surface area, and abundant active sites. The prepared catalysts can retain the photocatalytic activities during the entire reaction process without significant loss after four catalytic cycles, which reveals that the CuS with a stable 3D hierarchical network structure has a promising prospect as an ideal recyclable catalyst.


Author(s):  
Nguyen Thi Thanh Ha ◽  
Phan Quan ◽  
Tran Van Hong ◽  
Le Van Vinh

Abstract: We perform a molecular dynamics simulation to study the microstructure and dynamical properties in large silica model at liquid state. The models consisting of 19998 atoms were constructed under a wide range of pressure (0-20 GPa) and at 3500K temperature. Structural characteristics were clarified through the pair radial distribution function (PRDF), the distribution of SiOx coordination units and network structure. The result shows that these liquids consist of identical units SiO4, SiO5 and SiO6 and have common partial O―Si―O angle distribution. Furthermore, the major change in the diffusion mechanism under pressure is also considered and discussed.  Keywords: Molecular dynamics, structure, coordination units, diffusion, network structure. References [1] Gergely Molnár, Patrick Ganster, Anne Tanguy, Physical review E 95, 043001 (2017) [2] M. M. Smedskjaer,Frontier Mater, 1(23),1,(2014)[3] B. Hehlen and D. R. Neuville. J Phys Chem B. 119 (10), 4093,( 2015)[4] T. Kawasaki, H. Tanaka, J. Phys.: Condens. Matter 22, 232102 (2010).[5] G. Calas, L. Galoisy, L. Cormier, G. Ferlat, G. Lelong,Procedia Materials Science 7, 23 (2014)[6] J. Badro, D. M. Teter, R. T. Downs, P. Gillet, R. J. Hemley, and J.L. Barrat, Phys. Rev. B 56, 5797 (1997)[7] C. Weigel, L. Cormier, G. Calas, L. Galoisy, D.T. Bowron, Phys. Rev. B 78, 064202 (2008)[8] H. Jabraoui, Y.Vaills, A. Hasnaoui, M. Badawi and S. Ouaskit, J. Phys. Chem. B 120, 13193 (2016).[9] T. K. Bechgaard eltal., J. Non-Cryst. Solids 441, 49 (2016)[10] S. K. Baggain, D. B. Ghosh, B. B. Karki, Phys. Chem. Min. 42, 393 (2015).[11] A. W.Cooper, P. Harrowell, and H. Fynewever, Phys. Rev. Lett 93, 135701 (2004).[12] J.R. Allwardt, J.F. Stebbins, B.C. Schmidt, D.J. Frost, A.C. Withers, M.M. Hirschmann, Am. Mineral. 90, 1218 (2005)[13] M. Bauchy, M. Micoulaut, Physical review B 83, 184118 (2011)[14] H. Jabraoui, E.M. Achhal, A. Hasnaoui, J.-L. Garden,Y.Vaills, S. Ouaskit, J.Non-Cryst-Solid 448,16(2016)[15] S.K. Lee, G.D. Cody, Y. Fei, B.O. Mysen, Chem. Geol. 229,162 (2006).[16] I. Jackson, Phys. Earth Planet. Inter. 1, 218 (1976) [17] B.T. Poe etal., Science 276, 1245 (1997) [18] M. Scott Shell, G.D.Pablo , Z.P. Athanassios, Phys. Rev.E 66, 011202 (2002)[19] D.I. Grimley, A.C. Wright, R.N. Sinclair, J. Non-Cryst. Solids 119, 49 (1990).[20] Mozzi R L and Warren B E, J. Appl. Crystallogr. 2 164 (1969)[21] Bauchy M, J Chem Phys. 141, 024507 (2014)[22] T. Morishita, Phys. Rev. E 72, 021201 (2005)[23] P.K. Hung, N.T.T. Ha, N.V. Hong, J. Non-Cryst. Solids 358, 1649 (2012)


Complexity ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Yue Wang ◽  
Qian Huang ◽  
Qiurong Wang ◽  
Yang Xun ◽  
Yujiao Tan ◽  
...  

In response to the lack of research on the online social network structure of athletes, elements of research on the online social network structure of athletes were constructed based on the whole network perspective and through the study of the characteristics of the whole online social network structure of athletes, in order to provide reference for the physical and mental health development of athletes from a new perspective. Data were collected through questionnaires, and several software programs were used to preprocess and analyse the collected data. Through the analysis of the online whole network structure, it was found that the network density of the online support network was generally greater than that of the online discussion network, and athletes still showed stronger practical support demands and behaved more rationally in the process of training and learning life, while from the perspective of the relationship structure, the athletes’ family and classmates’ online support is weaker than that in previous studies; in terms of the whole network, strong relationships still dominate in this population, while attention should be paid to the impact of weak relationships.


Author(s):  
Xiaohui Chen ◽  
Ping Hu

The virtual communities have become the main position for people to create and share content in today’s society. It not only realizes the dissemination of knowledge and information, but also promotes the formation of the relationship between users. The traditional related studies treat all information in Internet as knowledge, which deviate from the real situation. Therefore, this paper uses text classification technology to classify the answer texts under the topic of “English learning” in the “Zhihu” Q&A community, and extract the real knowledge under the topic. On this basis, a multilevel network about answer-users’ knowledge sharing is constructed, and three subgroups with different users’ node degree are divided. The multilevel network exponential random graph models are used to explore the influence of local structural characteristics formed by the relationship between users on the whole multilevel network. The results show that: When the node degrees of answer-users are small and the network structure is stable, the initiative of sharing knowledge is small and the homogeneity of knowledge content is high; if there are structural holes in the network, answer-users will create an obvious clustering effect, and the heterogeneity of shared knowledge is high; for the subgroup with the largest answer-users’ node degree, the relationship between users is tight and the network structure is stable, then the shared knowledge is more heterogeneous.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 3174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Choonghyun Kim ◽  
Jaekang Lee

This study has analyzed how the network structure (density, centrality) affects the performance (convergence, overall) in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) with the different business exchange activities. In addition, we conducted a moderating effect of absorptive capacity (ability, motivation). Based on previous literature about the network and absorptive capacity, research hypotheses were developed and tested using a sample of 226 SMEs in South Korea. The results show that network density and centrality have a positive effect on perceived convergence and overall performance. These results are consistent with previous network studies relating to structural characteristics. To raise total performances in firms with different business exchange activities, they need to enhance density and centrality. For example, firms with different business exchange activities and high levels of density and centrality are able to easily obtain various types of information from other members of 7000 firms in Korea. Through this, they can improve performance. We also conducted the moderated regression analysis. The results show that employee ability has a positive moderating effect on the relationship between centrality and the overall performance while employee motivation has a negative moderating effect. The implications and directions for future study along with limitations are presented.


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