Fragile Networks

A unified treatment of the vulnerabilities that exist inreal-world network systems--with tools to identify synergiesfor mergers and acquisitions
Fragile Networks: Identifying Vulnerabilities and Synergiesin an Uncertain World presents a comprehensive study of networksystems and the roles these systems play in our everyday lives.This book successfully conceptualizes, defines, and constructsmathematically rigorous, computer-based tools for the assessment ofnetwork performance and efficiency, along with robustness andvulnerability analysis. The result is a thorough exploration thatpromotes an understanding of the critical infrastructure of today'snetwork systems, from congested urban transportation networks andsupply chain networks under disruption to financial networks andthe Internet.
The authors approach the analyses by abstracting not onlytopological structures of networks, but also the behavior ofnetwork users, the demand for resources, the resulting flows, andthe associated costs. Following an introduction to the fundamentalmethodologies and tools required for network analysis and networkvulnerability, the book is organized into three self-containedparts:
Part I--Network Fundamentals, Efficiency Measurement,and Vulnerability Analysis explores the theoretical andpractical foundations for a new network efficiency measure in orderto assess the importance of network components in various networksystems. Methodologies for distinct decision-making behaviors areoutlined, along with the tools for qualitative analysis, thealgorithms for the computation of solutions, and a thoroughdiscussion of the unified network efficient measure and networkrobustness with the unified measure.
Part II--Applications and Extensions examines theefficiency changes and the associated cost increments after networkcomponents are eliminated or partially damaged. A discussion of therecently established connections between transportation networksand different critical networks is provided, which demonstrates howthe new network measures and robustness indices can be applied todifferent supply chain, financial, and dynamic networks, includingthe Internet and electronic power networks.
Part III--Mergers and Acquisitions, Network Integration,and Synergies reveals the connections between transportationnetworks and different network systems and quantifies the synergiesassociated with the network systems, from total cost reduction toenvironmental impact assessment. In the case of mergers andacquisitions, the focus is on supply chain networks. The authorsoutline a system-optimization perspective for supply chain networksand also formalize coalition formation using game theory withinsights into the merger paradox.
With its numerous network examples and real-world applications,Fragile Networks: Identifying Vulnerabilities and Synergies inan Uncertain World is an excellent book for courses in networkscience, transportation science, operations management, andfinancial networks at the upper-undergraduate and graduate levels.It is also a valuable reference for researchers and practitionersin the areas of applied mathematics, computer science, operationsresearch, management science, finance, and economics, as well asindustrial, systems, and civil engineering.
Listen to Dr. Nagurney's podcast Supernetworks: BuildingBetter Real and Virtual Highways at http://www.scienceofbetter.org/podcast/ .