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

2026-01-15

AI Summary

This study addresses the absence of a unified framework for integrating diverse analytical approaches to structural power in complex networks. It proposes the first six-dimensional taxonomy that systematically organizes and critically evaluates centrality measures, game-theoretic models, concentration indices, flow-based methods, optimization techniques, and hybrid approaches, clarifying their core assumptions and comparative strengths. By synthesizing these methodologies, the work establishes a cohesive perspective on structural power analysis, revealing the structural characteristics and transmission mechanisms of power within complex economic and political systems. Furthermore, it lays a theoretical foundation for future research on hybrid models that integrate strategic decision-making with network flow dynamics.

Technology Category

• Game Theory and Economic Paradigms: Cooperative Game Theory
• Data Mining & Knowledge Management: Graph Mining, Social Network Analysis & Community
• Knowledge Representation and Reasoning: Computational Complexity of Reasoning

Application Category

• Social Networks and Social Media: Social media analysis through the lenses of networks
• Web Mining and Content Analysis: Bridging structured and unstructured data
• Graph Algorithms and Modeling for the Web: Algorithms and analysis for heterogeneous, signed, attributed, multi-relational, temporal, higher-order, and annotated Web-related graphs

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.

Problem

• structural power
• network analysis
• complex networks
• power measurement
• methodological framework

Innovation

• network power
• taxonomy
• structural power
• hybrid models
• complex networks