Analysis of Complex Networks

16.1 Introduction

Networks have attracted a burst of attention in the last decade (useful reviews include references [1, 9, 15, 28]), with applications to natural, social, and technological systems. While networks provide a powerful abstraction for investigating relationships and interactions, the preparation and analysis of complex real-world networks nonetheless presents significant challenges. In particular, social networks are characterized by a large number of different properties and generation mechanisms that require a rich set of indicators. The objective of the current study is to analyze large social networks with respect to their community structure and mechanisms of network formation. As a case study, we consider networks derived from the European Union's Framework Programs (FPs) for Research and Technological Development.

The EU FPs were implemented to follow two main strategic objectives: first, strengthening the scientific and technological bases of European industry to foster international competitiveness and, second, the promotion of research activities in support of other EU policies. In spite of their different scopes, the fundamental rationale of the FPs has remained unchanged. All FPs share a few common structural key elements. First, only projects of limited duration that mobilize private and public funds at the national level are funded. Second, the focus of funding is on multinational and multiactor collaborations that add value by operating at the European ...