Frontiers in Complex Network Theory and Its Applications

A special issue of Systems (ISSN 2079-8954). This special issue belongs to the section "Complex Systems and Cybernetics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 May 2023) | Viewed by 17308

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Guest Editor
School of Statistics and Mathematics, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou 310018, China
Interests: big data analysis; complexity system modeling
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Stephen Hawking thinks the next century will be the century of complexity. A complex network is the basic structure of the complex system, and each complex system can be regarded as a network of interactions between units or individuals. It is a kind of angle and method to study complex systems. It focuses on the topological structure of the interaction of the factors in a system and is the basis to understand the properties and functions of a complex system. Currently, with more and more powerful computing devices and the rapid development of the Internet, it is possible to collect and process large-scale and different types of actual network data. At the same time, the cross-pollination of disciplines allows researchers to extensively compare different types of network data, thus revealing the commonalities of complex networks. In addition, the rise of complexity science, which is characterized by the combination of reduction theory and holism, also urges people to study the relationship between network structure and performance as a whole. The above advances in science and technology and research methods have led to the rapid development of research on complex networks. At present, complex network theory and methods have been widely used in network communication, community division, public opinion monitoring, cyber marketing and other fields, and also achieved great success. The purpose of this research topic is to collect the latest research results in this direction and attract more scholars to master as well as apply this method. The Research Topic welcomes submissions on the complex network theory and its applications. Potential topics include, but are not limited to

  • Complex network concepts: random network, small world network, scale-free network, etc.
  • Network statistics and correlation with network structure: the definition and significance of degree distribution, aggregation and connectivity statistics and their practical significance, etc.
  • The relationship between properties and structures of complex networks: the relationship between synchronization, robustness and stability and network structure, etc.
  • Dynamics of complex network: information transmission dynamics, network evolution dynamics, network chaos dynamics, etc.
  • The complex structure of a complex network: community structure, hierarchical structure, node classification structure, etc.
  • Complex network optimization and control: key node optimization and control, main parameter optimization and control, stability and effectiveness of control, etc.
  • Complex network modeling: data modeling, forward and reverse modeling of complex networks on real systems, etc.
  • Applications of complex networks: network communication, community division, public opinion monitoring, cyber marketing, etc.

Dr. Tinggui Chen
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • network communication
  • community division
  • public opinion monitoring
  • cyber marketing

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

27 pages, 6966 KiB  
Article
Urban Networks in the Yangtze River Delta from the Perspective of Transaction Linkages in Manufacturing Industries: Characteristics, Determinants, and Strategies for Intercity Integration Development
by Yiran Yan, Kailun Li and Xingping Wang
Systems 2023, 11(8), 401; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems11080401 - 3 Aug 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1459
Abstract
In recent years, manufacturing development has received renewed attention from developing and developed countries alike. As mega-city regions (MCRs) are where manufacturing industries converge, the research on urban networks of MCRs under the dominance of manufacturing transaction linkages is currently insufficient. Based on [...] Read more.
In recent years, manufacturing development has received renewed attention from developing and developed countries alike. As mega-city regions (MCRs) are where manufacturing industries converge, the research on urban networks of MCRs under the dominance of manufacturing transaction linkages is currently insufficient. Based on the buyer–supplier linkages of listed manufacturing firms, this paper investigated the characteristics of the urban network in the Yangtze River Delta region (YRDR) in China using the social network analysis method; explored the determinants of nodal centrality and city dyads of the urban network by the stepwise regression and quadratic assignment procedures, respectively; and proposes a “characteristics-determinants-strategies” technical framework for the analysis and optimization of interurban collaboration in manufacturing transactions within MCRs. The findings were as follows: (1) The characteristics of the urban manufacturing transaction networks differed from those of transaction linkages of advanced producer services (APS) firms, intra-firm organization hierarchies, and innovation cooperation networks; (2) the network and geographical “core-periphery” structure of urban power and the circulation corridor of the urban manufacturing transaction network was formed within the YRDR; (3) cooperation parks, innovation collaboration, high-speed rail (HSR) linkage, and geographical proximity between cities were found to facilitate the formation of urban manufacturing transaction networks, and the similarity of industry structures and driving distance between cities inhibits the network; (4) the number of urban industrial firms, GDP per capita, and city government spending on science and technology contributed to the centrality of a city in urban manufacturing transaction networks, while the urban population in a city had a negative impact. The research provides a complementary perspective to the urban network research of MCRs under the perspective of production factors and product circulation and provides policy and urban planning insights for the synergistic development of interurban manufacturing in MCRs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Frontiers in Complex Network Theory and Its Applications)
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22 pages, 10505 KiB  
Article
Venture Capital Syndication Network Structure of Public Companies: Robustness and Dynamic Evolution, China
by Xinyuan Luo, Jian Yin, Hongtao Jiang, Danqi Wei, Ruici Xia and Yi Ding
Systems 2023, 11(6), 302; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems11060302 - 13 Jun 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2146
Abstract
Venture capital plays a vital role in boosting economic growth by providing an inexhaustible impetus for economic innovation and development. We use all the joint venture capital events of Chinese listed companies in the past 10 years to describe the characteristics of the [...] Read more.
Venture capital plays a vital role in boosting economic growth by providing an inexhaustible impetus for economic innovation and development. We use all the joint venture capital events of Chinese listed companies in the past 10 years to describe the characteristics of the joint venture capital network structure, identify the dynamic evolution characteristics of the community, and introduce random attacks and deliberate attacks to explore the resilience of joint venture capital cooperation. The study finds that the joint venture capital network in China has expanded in scale, with an increasing number of participants and a diversified investment industry. However, the connection between members within the network remains relatively loose, indicating fragmentation and a need to improve network quality. The community structure of core members is significant, with evident differences in scale. The network exhibits weak robustness, relying heavily on key enterprises and demonstrating a poor ability to resist external interference. The study proposes countermeasures and suggestions for optimizing the network structure of joint venture capital, aiming to enhance the environment and performance of joint venture capital and promote the high-quality development of China’s joint venture capital market. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Frontiers in Complex Network Theory and Its Applications)
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17 pages, 3043 KiB  
Article
Dynamic Characteristics and Evolution Analysis of China’s Rural Population Migration Networks from 2000 to 2020 Based on the Perspective of Regional Differences
by Yihu Zhou and Tingting Fang
Systems 2023, 11(6), 270; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems11060270 - 25 May 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1437
Abstract
The large-scale cross-regional migration of rural migrants is a significant feature of the current social system in China, affecting the sustainability of social and economic development. Using China National Census data and socio-economic panel data, we applied the complex network analysis method to [...] Read more.
The large-scale cross-regional migration of rural migrants is a significant feature of the current social system in China, affecting the sustainability of social and economic development. Using China National Census data and socio-economic panel data, we applied the complex network analysis method to construct a rural population migration network and analyze its characteristics, evolution, and mechanisms of network formation and changes. The research findings are as follows: (1) From 2000 to 2020, the rural population migration network developed rapidly, the network scope expanded continuously, regional participation gradually grew, and the inter-regional rural population migration relationship became increasingly complex. The overall network gradually evolved from an early segmented and loose structure to a monolithic and solid structure. (2) The in-degree centralization of the network remained higher than the out-degree centralization. The inbound migration pattern of the rural population was more compact than the outbound migration pattern, and the internal network displayed aggregated inbound population migration and dispersed outbound population migration flow characteristics. (3) The network had a distinctive “core–edge” character, with the core areas and the main migration flows in the network demonstrating high similarity across different periods. The overall network gradually developed around the core areas where the rural population moved in and out. (4) The influence mechanism between the later migration network and the geographical differences was more complex than in the early period. Differences in the regional development levels and geographical factors continued to influence the mobility choices of the rural population, whereas differences in income levels, cost of living, employment opportunities, and education funding only affected the rural migration network during specific periods. Based on these findings, reasonable migration policies should be formulated to ensure sustainable urban and rural development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Frontiers in Complex Network Theory and Its Applications)
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18 pages, 3433 KiB  
Article
Resilience Characteristics and Driving Mechanism of Urban Collaborative Innovation Network—A Case Study of China’s New Energy Vehicle Industry
by Yuyue Guan, Longfei Li and Chao Liu
Systems 2023, 11(5), 214; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems11050214 - 22 Apr 2023
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2408
Abstract
The innovation ecosystem of the new energy vehicle industry is highly complex and spans several sectors; it is important to increase the resistance of the new energy vehicle industry network. This paper explores regional resilience in the context of China’s new energy vehicle [...] Read more.
The innovation ecosystem of the new energy vehicle industry is highly complex and spans several sectors; it is important to increase the resistance of the new energy vehicle industry network. This paper explores regional resilience in the context of China’s new energy vehicle industry. Using patent cooperation data from 2011 to 2021, we construct a three-stage urban collaborative innovation network and analyze its structural characteristics. We also develop a resilience evaluation index system to measure the resilience of the network and its nodes. Furthermore, we propose a framework for resilience analysis that operates at the network, community, and node levels. Through our analysis of the network’s resilience characteristics and evolution, we investigate the driving mechanisms behind its formation using the exponential random graph model (ERGM). Empirical results demonstrate that the urban collaborative innovation network is expanding and strengthening, with increased resilience and the ability to withstand uncertainty. Notably, the distribution of node resilience exhibits spatial heterogeneity, with cities in the eastern and central regions demonstrating higher resilience than those in other areas. Furthermore, the study finds that economic development and investment in education and technology can enhance network connections and resilience. Additionally, this paper reveals a strong dependence of inter-city cooperation on geographical proximity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Frontiers in Complex Network Theory and Its Applications)
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22 pages, 12798 KiB  
Article
Trading Risk Spillover Mechanism of Rare Earth in China: New Perspective Based on Time-Varying Connectedness Approach
by Rendao Ye, Jincheng Gong and Xinting Xia
Systems 2023, 11(4), 168; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems11040168 - 23 Mar 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1845
Abstract
Our research contributes a new point of view on China’s rare earth dynamic risk spillover measurement; this was performed by combining complex network and multivariate nonlinear Granger causality to construct the time-varying connectedness complex network and analyze the formation mechanism using the impulse [...] Read more.
Our research contributes a new point of view on China’s rare earth dynamic risk spillover measurement; this was performed by combining complex network and multivariate nonlinear Granger causality to construct the time-varying connectedness complex network and analyze the formation mechanism using the impulse response. First, our empirical research found that for the dynamic characteristics of China’s rare earth market, due to instability, uncertainty, and geopolitical decisions, disruption can be captured well by the TVP-VAR-SV model. Second, except for praseodymium, oxides are all risk takers and are more affected by the impact of other assets, which means that the composite index and catalysts are main sources of risk spillovers in China’s rare earth trading complex network system. Third, from the perspective of macroeconomic variables, there are significant multivariate nonlinear impacts on the total connectedness index of China’s rare earth market, and they exhibit asymmetric shock characteristics. These findings indicate that the overall linkage of the risk contagion in China’s rare earth trading market is strong. Strengthening the interconnections among the rare earth assets is of important practical significance. Empirical results also provide policy recommendations for establishing trading risk protection measures under macro-prudential supervision. Especially for investors and regulators, rare earth oxides are important assets for risk mitigation. When rare earth systemic trading risk occur, the allocation of oxide rare earth assets can hedge part of the trading risk. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Frontiers in Complex Network Theory and Its Applications)
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12 pages, 1680 KiB  
Article
Analysis of Urban Electric Vehicle Adoption Based on Operating Costs in Urban Transportation Network
by Jie Ma, Yu Zhu, Dawei Chen, Chenhao Zhang, Maocan Song, Honggang Zhang, Jingxu Chen and Kai Zhang
Systems 2023, 11(3), 149; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems11030149 - 13 Mar 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3254
Abstract
Electric vehicles (EVs) are one of the most promising applications that are reshaping the future urban mobility market and benefitting the urban environment. Analyzing the adoption of EVs helps both vehicle sales market management and urban transportation-related environmental cost estimation. Previous studies have [...] Read more.
Electric vehicles (EVs) are one of the most promising applications that are reshaping the future urban mobility market and benefitting the urban environment. Analyzing the adoption of EVs helps both vehicle sales market management and urban transportation-related environmental cost estimation. Previous studies have shown that EV adoption is mostly affected by the economic environment and users’ psychological factors; however, both factors vary among specific urban transportation networks. This paper thus proposes network-related vehicle operating cost functions and a logit-based choice model, which considers both the economic environment and users’ psychological factors at a network level. The model can thus estimate the vehicle adoption for specific networks. Numerical experiments and sensitivity analyses were conducted to illustrate the proposed method and provide practical insights in estimating EV adoption, respectively. The results suggest that EV adoption greatly varies among different cities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Frontiers in Complex Network Theory and Its Applications)
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25 pages, 8952 KiB  
Article
Consumer Panic Buying Behavior and Supply Distribution Strategy in a Multiregional Network after a Sudden Disaster
by Shiwen Wu, Yanfang Shen, Yujie Geng, Tinggui Chen and Lei Xi
Systems 2023, 11(2), 110; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems11020110 - 20 Feb 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2666
Abstract
Panic buying is now a frequent occurrence in many countries, leading to stockouts and supply chain disruptions. This paper highlights consumers’ panic buying behavior in different types of regions and the impact of different replenishment strategies after an emergency supply disruption. Panic buying [...] Read more.
Panic buying is now a frequent occurrence in many countries, leading to stockouts and supply chain disruptions. This paper highlights consumers’ panic buying behavior in different types of regions and the impact of different replenishment strategies after an emergency supply disruption. Panic buying behavior occurs when consumers try to mitigate the negative impact of a supply disruption. Therefore, this paper develops a consumer-based agency model to study the correlation between public opinion and panic buying and simulates the influence of consumers’ panic buying behavior under different situations in a complex network. The results show that the spread of panic feelings can lead to panic buying behavior among consumers, which then shocks the retailer market. The distribution of supplies according to the type of city and the number of people can have an impact on consumer panic buying behavior, and when the government adopts a restrictive strategy, implementing a quota policy or uniform rationing is very effective in reducing the number of consumers participating in panic buying. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Frontiers in Complex Network Theory and Its Applications)
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