Dynamic Competition Networks: detecting alliances and leaders

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new hypothesis and method for analyzing dynamic competition networks to identify alliances and leaders, validated on social game show data.

Contribution

It proposes a novel hypothesis and analytical approach for detecting alliances and leaders in evolving social competition networks.

Findings

Successfully identified alliances and leaders in Survivor and Big Brother networks.

Validated the hypothesis as an effective predictive tool.

Provides insights into social dynamics in competitive environments.

Abstract

We consider social networks of competing agents that evolve dynamically over time. Such dynamic competition networks are directed, where a directed edge from nodes $u$ to $v$ corresponds a negative social interaction. We present a novel hypothesis that serves as a predictive tool to uncover alliances and leaders within dynamic competition networks. Our focus is in the present study is to validate it on competitive networks arising from social game shows such as Survivor and Big Brother.