Dynamical Network Structures in Multi-Layered Networks: Implementing and Evaluating Basic Principles for Collective Behavior

Abstract

In modeling military (inter)actions and cooperation as networks, military units or actors may be represented as nodes. In analyzing military networked action, a key observation is that a node is not just part of one type of network but simultaneously belongs to multiple networks. To model the dynamical behavior of actors, one has to take into account the interdependence of the different networks. In this chapter, the authors present a method that is used to implement, analyze, and evaluate some specific principles that may be used by the actors in an organization to drive the process of constant change. It can be used to analyze the effect of these principles on the metrics for coordination, synchronization, robustness, and desired operational effectiveness of the network as a whole. To demonstrate the approach, the authors apply it to networks in which two basic principles are operational: reciprocity and a novel principle called covering.