Fragile Networks (PDF)

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 href="http://www.scienceofbetter.org/podcast/">http://www.scienceofbetter.org/podcast/ .