Power and Control in Complex Networks: A Taxonomy and Critical Review

TL;DR

This paper provides a comprehensive taxonomy of network analysis methods for measuring structural power, clarifying their assumptions, strengths, and applications across various fields, and suggests future research directions.

Contribution

It introduces a unified taxonomy categorizing existing power measurement methods into six families, linking them to their conceptual foundations and analytical focus.

Findings

Six families of power analysis methods identified

Clarified assumptions and strengths of each method

Outlined future directions for hybrid models linking decision-making and flows

Abstract

This paper reviews the main network analysis methods used to measure structural power, which refers to the ability to shape outcomes through network position and influence, and the ability to affect others through network connections. These approaches have been applied in fields such as corporate control, global value chains, and technology supply networks. Despite significant advances, a unified framework that systematically connects these methodologies to their conceptual foundations has yet to emerge. To fill this gap, the paper introduces a taxonomy that categorizes existing methods into six families: centrality-based approaches, game-theoretic models, concentration measures, flow-based methods, optimization frameworks, and hybrid approaches that combine elements from different approaches. This classification clarifies their assumptions, analytical focus, and relative strengths, offering a coherent view of how power is structured and transmitted in complex economic and political systems. The paper concludes by outlining future research directions to refine hybrid models linking decision-making and network flows.