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."