Power and Control in Complex Networks: A Taxonomy and Critical Review

Fuente: arXiv
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Hauptverfasser: Abeltino, Alessio, Bacaloni, Tiziano, Bernardini, Andrea, Giancaterini, Francesco, Pannone, Andrea
Format: Preprint
Veröffentlicht: 2026
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_version_ 1866912825339805696
author Abeltino, Alessio
Bacaloni, Tiziano
Bernardini, Andrea
Giancaterini, Francesco
Pannone, Andrea
author_facet Abeltino, Alessio
Bacaloni, Tiziano
Bernardini, Andrea
Giancaterini, Francesco
Pannone, Andrea
contents This paper reviews the main network analysis methods used to measure structural power, which refers to the ability to shape outcomes through network position and influence, and the ability to affect others through network connections. These approaches have been applied in fields such as corporate control, global value chains, and technology supply networks. Despite significant advances, a unified framework that systematically connects these methodologies to their conceptual foundations has yet to emerge. To fill this gap, the paper introduces a taxonomy that categorizes existing methods into six families: centrality-based approaches, game-theoretic models, concentration measures, flow-based methods, optimization frameworks, and hybrid approaches that combine elements from different approaches. This classification clarifies their assumptions, analytical focus, and relative strengths, offering a coherent view of how power is structured and transmitted in complex economic and political systems. The paper concludes by outlining future research directions to refine hybrid models linking decision-making and network flows.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2601_10218
institution arXiv
publishDate 2026
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Power and Control in Complex Networks: A Taxonomy and Critical Review
Abeltino, Alessio
Bacaloni, Tiziano
Bernardini, Andrea
Giancaterini, Francesco
Pannone, Andrea
General Economics
Economics
This paper reviews the main network analysis methods used to measure structural power, which refers to the ability to shape outcomes through network position and influence, and the ability to affect others through network connections. These approaches have been applied in fields such as corporate control, global value chains, and technology supply networks. Despite significant advances, a unified framework that systematically connects these methodologies to their conceptual foundations has yet to emerge. To fill this gap, the paper introduces a taxonomy that categorizes existing methods into six families: centrality-based approaches, game-theoretic models, concentration measures, flow-based methods, optimization frameworks, and hybrid approaches that combine elements from different approaches. This classification clarifies their assumptions, analytical focus, and relative strengths, offering a coherent view of how power is structured and transmitted in complex economic and political systems. The paper concludes by outlining future research directions to refine hybrid models linking decision-making and network flows.
title Power and Control in Complex Networks: A Taxonomy and Critical Review
topic General Economics
Economics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2601.10218