What is Network Theory?
Network theory is a branch of mathematics and computer science that deals with analysing and modelling complex networks. A network is a collection of interconnected nodes or vertices representing things such as people, organizations, or computers. The connections between the nodes, called edges or links, can represent relationships, interactions, or communication channels.
Network theory is used to study a wide range of systems, including social networks, communication networks, transportation networks, and biological networks. It provides a framework for understanding how the structure and properties of a network can influence its function and behaviour.
Some of the key concepts in network theory include connectivity, centrality, and robustness. The level of connection between network nodes is referred to as connectivity. A node’s relevance or influence within a network is gauged by its centrality. A network’s robustness is its capacity to resist errors or interruptions. The construction of communication networks, the analysis of social and economic systems, and the investigation of disease transmission are just a few examples of the many real-world uses for network theory. The Internet and modern computer science have both benefited greatly from it.
The following terms are widely used in network theory:
- Electric Network
- Current Voltage
- Electric Circuit
- Power
Therefore, it is essential that we get a foundational understanding of these words before moving on. Starting with the electric circuit.
Since departments and organizations are both social networks, network theory is typically covered in the coursework for the Master of Communication Management degree. This theory can aid managers in understanding how their departments and organizations operate. Mason Carpenter, Talya Bauer, and Berrin Erdogan contend that the effectiveness of any social network, including a workplace, depends on three principles: reciprocity, or the extent to which individuals perform similar tasks for one another; exchange, or the extent to which individuals perform different tasks for one another; and similarity, or the extent to which individuals share characteristics with one another.