k-means-based algorithm for blockmodeling linked networks

Žiberna, Aleš (author)

The paper presents a k-means-based algorithm for blockmodeling linked networks where linked networks are defined as a collection of one-mode and two-mode networks in which units from different one-mode networks are connected through two-mode networks. The reason for this is that a faster algorithm is needed for blockmodeling linked networks that can better scale to larger networks. Examples of linked networks include multilevel networks, dynamic networks, dynamic multilevel networks, and meta-networks. Generalized blockmodeling has been developed for linked/multilevel networks, yet the generalized blockmodeling approach is too slow for analyzing larger networks. Therefore, the flexibility of generalized blockmodeling is sacrificed for the speed of k-means-based approaches, thus allowing the analysis of larger networks. The presented algorithm is based on the two-mode k-means (or KL-means) algorithm for two-mode networks or matrices. As a side product, an algorithm for one-mode blockmodeling of one-mode networks is presented. The algorithm's use on a dynamic multilevel network with more than 400 units is presented. A situation study is also conducted which shows that k-means based algorithms are superior to relocation algorithm-based methods for larger networks (e.g. larger than 800 units) and never much worse.

• Language: English
• Keywords: generalised blockmodeling, k-means algorithm, homogeneity blockmodeling, linked networks, multilevel networks, simulations
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: FDV - Faculty of Social Sciences
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Year: 2020
• Number of pages: Str. 153-169
• Numbering: Vol. 61
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-128412
• UDC: 303
• ISSN on article: 0378-8733
• DOI: 10.1016/j.socnet.2019.10.006
• COBISS.SI-ID: 36567901
• Publication date in RUL: 12.07.2021

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Social networks
• Shortened title: Soc. networks
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 0378-8733
• COBISS.SI-ID: 30632960

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.

Projects

• Funder: ARRS - Slovenian Research Agency
• Project number: P5-0168
• Name: Družboslovna metodologija, statistika in informatika

• Funder: ARRS - Slovenian Research Agency
• Project number: J7-8279
• Name: Bločno modeliranje večnivojskih in časovnih omrežij