10 December 2013

Post date: Dec 10, 2013 5:00:04 PM

Elisabeth zu Erbach-Schoenberg gave a talk today on her PhD research: "Dynamics

and fragmentation of social networks".

"Well connected social networks forming a single component are an

important factor for the success and persistence of organisations such

as religious and political groups or companies. Therefore, any

fracturing of the network should be avoided as it can lead to

instability with the formation of sub-groups or sub-organisations or

even organisations dissolving. Of special interest are networks that

have been stable for long periods of time but have become destabilised

as the result of a single disagreement between two individuals. While

individuals explicitly "taking sides" for one of the two individuals

involved in the disagreement provides a possible explanation for the

fracturing of the network, we can observe the same result in cases

where individuals not directly involved are trying to be impartial."