Emergence of communities in weighted networks

TL;DR

This paper introduces a dynamic weighted network model that demonstrates how weights influence community formation and network structure, reproducing features like weak links observed in social networks.

Contribution

A simple, tunable model showing how weights dynamically shape network topology and community emergence, reflecting real social network properties.

Findings

Networks transition from no communities to clear modules as weight importance increases

Model reproduces social network features like weak links

Structural properties depend on the weight importance parameter

Abstract

Topology and weights are closely related in weighted complex networks and this is reflected in their modular structure. We present a simple network model where the weights are generated dynamically and they shape the developing topology. By tuning a model parameter governing the importance of weights, the resulting networks undergo a gradual structural transition from a module free topology to one with communities. The model also reproduces many features of large social networks, including the "weak links" property.