The evolution of roles
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Author / Producer
Date
2022-01
Publication Type
Journal Article
ETH Bibliography
yes
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Abstract
We propose a novel formalization of roles in social networks that unifies the most commonly used definitions of role equivalence. As one consequence, we obtain a single, straightforward proof that role equivalences form lattices. Our formalization focuses on the evolution of roles from arbitrary initial conditions and thereby generalizes notions of relative and iterated roles that have been suggested previously. In addition to the unified structure result this provides a potential micro-foundation for the emergence of roles. Considering the genesis of roles may explain, and help overcome, the problem that social networks rarely exhibit interesting role equivalences of the traditional kind. Finally, we discuss extensions of the role concept to multivariate networks with actor and tie attributes by example.
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Publication status
published
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Book title
Journal / series
Volume
68
Pages / Article No.
195 - 208
Publisher
Elsevier
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Edition / version
Methods
Software
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Date collected
Date created
Subject
Network analysis; Roles; Role evolution
Organisational unit
09610 - Brandes, Ulrik / Brandes, Ulrik