Near decomposability of complex networks based on Simon's theory of complexity architecture: conceptions, approaches and an application

TL;DR

This paper explores the near decomposability of complex networks through Simon's complexity architecture, proposing new approaches for analyzing real-world complex systems and illustrating their advantages over traditional methods.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach for analyzing the near decomposability of complex networks by splitting adjacency matrices, tailored for real-world applications.

Findings

Proposes an approach for analyzing NDH in complex networks.

Highlights advantages of network language in understanding complex systems.

Illustrates methods with an example of real-world network analysis.

Abstract

Based on Simon's theory of complexity architecture, we investigate the near decomposability of complex networks, including network near decomposable hierarchy (NDH) and near decomposability in behavior and properties (NDBP): the related conceptions and approaches are given and illustrated with an example. Different from existing researches, we emphasize the network NDBP; and follow Simon's generation mechanism of complex things to find the network NDH; In addition, based on Simon's theory that most things in the real world are complex systems with the NDH; and the situation that the approach for analyzing the NDH of a simple room system in Simon's example requires that the system adjacency matrix be in the near block diagonal form, which is often not the case for the adjacency matrices of complex systems in the real world, we propose an approach for analyzing the NDH of complex networks (complex systems) by splitting network adjacency matrices, which is suitable for solving real-world problems faced rather than for scientific discovery. The near decomposability of complex networks, due to the advantages of network language, can provide a more convenient and effective way than the near decomposability of complex systems for understanding and dealing with the problems of complex things.