Teacher: Judith Molka-Danielsen Credits: 15 ECTS Credits
Semester: Autumn
Prerequisites:
Equivalent to those listed for admission to the Masters Degree Program.
Meeting Times: Tuesdays and Thursdays (kl.15.15 - 17.00)
IDA765 will be taught on an individual study basis.
Time Plan (at Present)
Time Plan (previously)
Practical Exercises (examples from 2005)
Practical Exercises (examples from 2004)
promo HSMWe will use an E-post list for IDA765: you can signup here. Select IDA765 on the "pĺmelding" menu.
Objectives:
This course will examine the establishment and growth of knowledge networks. Knowledge networks include information, people and resources applied in interrelated systems. We will study basic theories of networks such as: an historical review of Random Graphs theory, and more recent theory such as the study of Scale Free network models that make use of Power Laws to explain and analyze the growth phases and growth rates of networks. Last, we will analyze how networks impact the intra-organizational and inter-organizational environments, such as adoption of technology or processes within or between organizations.
Content:
Knowledge networks are complex systems of resources including information, people and technology resources. Examples of knowledge networks include the network of web pages on the Internet, or a network of experts within an organization, and networks of services such as peer-to-peer network services (i.e. Gnutella).
This course will review foundational literature on the studies of networks. The types of networks examined include social networks, technology networks, and product networks. The study of social networks is included because there is relevant foundational research of issues such as: the importance of centrality, metrics of the strength of links, and the importance of weak links in networks.
It will then examine recent practical problems of knowledge networks such as: the role and importance of network hubs in the proliferation of products or in preventing the proliferation of viruses. We will also study issues such as: what are the characteristics of networks, what are life cycles of networks, what makes networks weak or strong, and how can networks adapt over time. Understanding such problems will help organizations establish and promote new products, share expert knowledge, provide reliable and continuous service. We will make use of simulation software to study the dynamics of networks.
Instruction:
4 hours of interactive-lecture meetings per week. Inclusion of practical exercises.
Obligatory Assignments:
Participation in lecture is required. Exercises must be submitted by a specified date.
Evaluation:
4 hours written exam (60%) plus inclusion of lecture participation and practical exercises (40%).
Students will also be asked to design a practical experiment, using surveys, or samples of network data. (For example, design a classification system for “hubs” based on selected metrics.) Students will be asked to interact and participate in class discussions using the course reading materials. They will be asked to discuss their course project work and their results.
Reading List:
- Barabási, Albert-László, "Linked", Plume Books, ISBN 0452284392, re-issue 2003. (Students should purchase this book. This book gives a general outline for the topics that will be discussed during the semester.)
- Selected articles on
knowledge networks: peer-to-peer networks, scale free networks, etc. The
recommended reading will be listed on this web page and relevant sections will
be identified in the lecture periods during the semester.
Tools:
- UCINET Social Network
Software Package (shareware) by Freeman, Borgatti
and Everett.
- Hanneman, Robert A.,
Introduction to Social
Network Methods,
(free online textbook),
Larkspur does a Haemorrhage, 1960, by George Herms