A unified treatment of the vulnerabilities that exist in real-world
network systems--with tools to identify synergies for mergers and
acquisitions
Fragile Networks: Identifying Vulnerabilities and Synergies in an
Uncertain World presents a comprehensive study of network systems and
the roles these systems play in our everyday lives. This book
successfully conceptualizes, defines, and constructs mathematically
rigorous, computer-based tools for the assessment of network performance
and efficiency, along with robustness and vulnerability analysis. The
result is a thorough exploration that promotes an understanding of the
critical infrastructure of today's network systems, from congested urban
transportation networks and supply chain networks under disruption to
financial networks and the Internet.
The authors approach the analyses by abstracting not only topological
structures of networks, but also the behavior of network users, the
demand for resources, the resulting flows, and the associated costs.
Following an introduction to the fundamental methodologies and tools
required for network analysis and network vulnerability, the book is
organized into three self-contained parts:
Part I--Network Fundamentals, Efficiency Measurement, and
Vulnerability Analysis explores the theoretical and practical
foundations for a new network efficiency measure in order to assess the
importance of network components in various network systems.
Methodologies for distinct decision-making behaviors are outlined, along
with the tools for qualitative analysis, the algorithms for the
computation of solutions, and a thorough discussion of the unified
network efficient measure and network robustness with the unified
measure.
Part II--Applications and Extensions examines the efficiency changes
and the associated cost increments after network components are
eliminated or partially damaged. A discussion of the recently
established connections between transportation networks and different
critical networks is provided, which demonstrates how the new network
measures and robustness indices can be applied to different supply
chain, financial, and dynamic networks, including the Internet and
electronic power networks.
Part III--Mergers and Acquisitions, Network Integration, and
Synergies reveals the connections between transportation networks and
different network systems and quantifies the synergies associated with
the network systems, from total cost reduction to environmental impact
assessment. In the case of mergers and acquisitions, the focus is on
supply chain networks. The authors outline a system-optimization
perspective for supply chain networks and also formalize coalition
formation using game theory with insights into the merger paradox.
With its numerous network examples and real-world applications, Fragile
Networks: Identifying Vulnerabilities and Synergies in an Uncertain
World is an excellent book for courses in network science,
transportation science, operations management, and financial networks at
the upper-undergraduate and graduate levels. It is also a valuable
reference for researchers and practitioners in the areas of applied
mathematics, computer science, operations research, management science,
finance, and economics, as well as industrial, systems, and civil
engineering.
Listen to Dr. Nagurney's podcast Supernetworks: Building Better Real
and Virtual Highways at http: //www.scienceofbetter.org/podcast/
.
