IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/kap/netspa/v18y2018i1d10.1007_s11067-017-9354-1.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The Complexity in the Study of Spatial Networks: an Epistemological Approach

Author

Listed:
  • Dimitrios Tsiotas

    (University of Thessaly)

  • Serafeim Polyzos

    (University of Thessaly)

Abstract

Provided that the study of complex networks has reached a crucial measure to be considered by many researchers as a separate discipline, the so-called Network Science (NS), the assessment of this field under the epistemological perspective serves substantial self-definition purposes. This paper takes its inspiration from both the review articles of Barthelemy in Phys Rep, 499, 1–101, 2011, and of Ducruet and Beauguitte in Netw Spatial Econ, 14, 297–316, 2014, and attempts to provide an integrated epistemological consideration for the complex study in the scientific subfield of spatial networks. Within the concept of epistemology, which is the theory examining the ways that knowledge is being achievable, the major research question that is tried to be answered in this paper is “whether there is convergence or divergence in the evolution of the spatial networks’ study, in terms of cognition, methods, and applications”. The further purpose of this paper is to shape an integrated methodological framework for the study of spatial networks, incorporating the existing structural, functional and socioeconomic approaches. The overall consideration aspires to contribute to the comprehension and the standardization of the procedures in the analysis of spatial networks, to promote the interdisciplinary research of complex networks, and to introduce the dialogue about how Complex Network Analysis (CNA) and NS can move methodically from the research field into the academic didactics.

Suggested Citation

  • Dimitrios Tsiotas & Serafeim Polyzos, 2018. "The Complexity in the Study of Spatial Networks: an Epistemological Approach," Networks and Spatial Economics, Springer, vol. 18(1), pages 1-32, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:netspa:v:18:y:2018:i:1:d:10.1007_s11067-017-9354-1
    DOI: 10.1007/s11067-017-9354-1
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s11067-017-9354-1
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s11067-017-9354-1?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jia, Tao & Jiang, Bin, 2012. "Building and analyzing the US airport network based on en-route location information," Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Elsevier, vol. 391(15), pages 4031-4042.
    2. César Ducruet & Laurent Beauguitte, 2014. "Network science and spatial science : Review and outcomes of a complex relationship," Post-Print hal-03246947, HAL.
    3. repec:cup:cbooks:9780511771576 is not listed on IDEAS
    4. Bagler, Ganesh, 2008. "Analysis of the airport network of India as a complex weighted network," Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Elsevier, vol. 387(12), pages 2972-2980.
    5. Sean P. Gorman & Roberto Patuelli & Aura Reggiani & Peter Nijkamp & Rajendra Kulkarni & Günter Haag, 2007. "An Application of Complex Network Theory to German Commuting Patterns," International Series in Operations Research & Management Science, in: Terry L. Friesz (ed.), Network Science, Nonlinear Science and Infrastructure Systems, chapter 0, pages 167-185, Springer.
    6. Sgroi, Daniel, 2008. "Social network theory, broadband and the future of the World Wide Web," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 32(1), pages 62-84, February.
    7. Dan Bogart, 2009. "Inter-Modal Network Externalities and Transport Development: Evidence from Roads, Canals, and Ports During the English Industrial Revolution," Networks and Spatial Economics, Springer, vol. 9(3), pages 309-338, September.
    8. César Ducruet & Theo Notteboom, 2012. "The worldwide maritime network of container shipping : Spatial structure and regional dynamics," Post-Print hal-03246962, HAL.
    9. Reggiani, Aura & Bucci, Pietro & Russo, Giovanni & Haas, Anette & Nijkamp, Peter, 2011. "Regional labour markets and job accessibility in City Network systems in Germany," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 19(4), pages 528-536.
    10. Hu, Yihong & Zhu, Daoli, 2009. "Empirical analysis of the worldwide maritime transportation network," Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Elsevier, vol. 388(10), pages 2061-2071.
    11. V. Rosato & L. Issacharoff & F. Tiriticco & S. Meloni & S. De Porcellinis & R. Setola, 2008. "Modelling interdependent infrastructures using interacting dynamical models," International Journal of Critical Infrastructures, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 4(1/2), pages 63-79.
    12. Isabelle Thomas, 2002. "Transportation Networks and the Optimal Location of Human Activities," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 2436.
    13. Roberto Patuelli & Aura Reggiani & Sean Gorman & Peter Nijkamp & Franz-Josef Bade, 2007. "Network Analysis of Commuting Flows: A Comparative Static Approach to German Data," Networks and Spatial Economics, Springer, vol. 7(4), pages 315-331, December.
    14. César Ducruet & Laurent Beauguitte, 2014. "Spatial Science and Network Science: Review and Outcomes of a Complex Relationship," Networks and Spatial Economics, Springer, vol. 14(3), pages 297-316, December.
    15. BRANDES, ULRIK & ROBINS, GARRY & McCRANIE, ANN & WASSERMAN, STANLEY, 2013. "What is network science?," Network Science, Cambridge University Press, vol. 1(01), pages 1-15, April.
    16. Guida, Michele & Maria, Funaro, 2007. "Topology of the Italian airport network: A scale-free small-world network with a fractal structure?," Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, Elsevier, vol. 31(3), pages 527-536.
    17. Tavasszy, Lóránt & Minderhoud, Michiel & Perrin, Jean-François & Notteboom, Theo, 2011. "A strategic network choice model for global container flows: specification, estimation and application," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 19(6), pages 1163-1172.
    18. R. Luce, 1950. "Connectivity and generalized cliques in sociometric group structure," Psychometrika, Springer;The Psychometric Society, vol. 15(2), pages 169-190, June.
    19. J. Buhl & J. Gautrais & N. Reeves & R. V. Solé & S. Valverde & P. Kuntz & G. Theraulaz, 2006. "Topological patterns in street networks of self-organized urban settlements," The European Physical Journal B: Condensed Matter and Complex Systems, Springer;EDP Sciences, vol. 49(4), pages 513-522, February.
    20. César Ducruet, 2013. "Network diversity and maritime flows," Post-Print halshs-00815731, HAL.
    21. Diana Mok & Barry Wellman & Juan Carrasco, 2010. "Does Distance Matter in the Age of the Internet?," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 47(13), pages 2747-2783, November.
    22. Ducruet, César, 2017. "Multilayer dynamics of complex spatial networks: The case of global maritime flows (1977–2008)," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 47-58.
    23. César Ducruet, 2013. "Network diversity and maritime flows," Post-Print hal-03246957, HAL.
    24. Wong, Ling Heng & Pattison, Philippa & Robins, Garry, 2006. "A spatial model for social networks," Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Elsevier, vol. 360(1), pages 99-120.
    25. Laurie Schintler & Rajendra Kulkarni & Sean Gorman & Roger Stough, 2007. "Using Raster-Based GIS and Graph Theory to Analyze Complex Networks," Networks and Spatial Economics, Springer, vol. 7(4), pages 301-313, December.
    26. Claes Andersson & Koen Frenken & Alexander Hellervik, 2006. "A Complex Network Approach to Urban Growth," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 38(10), pages 1941-1964, October.
    27. Lämmer, Stefan & Gehlsen, Björn & Helbing, Dirk, 2006. "Scaling laws in the spatial structure of urban road networks," Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Elsevier, vol. 363(1), pages 89-95.
    28. César Ducruet & Theo E. Notteboom, 2012. "The worldwide maritime network of container shipping: Spatial structure and regional dynamics," Post-Print halshs-00538051, HAL.
    29. Easley,David & Kleinberg,Jon, 2010. "Networks, Crowds, and Markets," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521195331.
    30. Ducruet, César, 2013. "Network diversity and maritime flows," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 30(C), pages 77-88.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Panagiota DIONYSOPOULOU & Georgios SVARNIAS & Theodore PAPAILIAS, 2021. "Total Quality Management In Public Sector, Case Study: Customs Service," Regional Science Inquiry, Hellenic Association of Regional Scientists, vol. 0(1), pages 153-168, June.
    2. Dimitrios TSIOTAS & Nikolaos AXELIS & Serafeim POLYZOS, 2022. "Detecting City-Dipoles In Greece Based On Intercity Commuting," Regional Science Inquiry, Hellenic Association of Regional Scientists, vol. 0(1), pages 11-30, June.
    3. Filipos RUXHO & Christos Ap. LADIAS, 2022. "Increasing Funding For The Regional Industry Of Kosovo And The Impact On Economic Growth," Regional Science Inquiry, Hellenic Association of Regional Scientists, vol. 0(1), pages 117-126, June.
    4. Shixun Wang & Lihong Yang, 2022. "The Network Structure of Innovation Networks," Networks and Spatial Economics, Springer, vol. 22(1), pages 65-96, March.
    5. Christos Ap. LADIAS & Filipos RUXHO & Fernando Jos? Calado e Silva Nunes TEIXEIRA & Susana Soares Pinheiro Vieira PESCADA, 2023. "The Regional Economic Indicators And Economic Development Of Kosovo," Regional Science Inquiry, Hellenic Association of Regional Scientists, vol. 0(1), pages 73-83, June.
    6. Areti Kranioti & Dimitrios Tsiotas & Serafeim Polyzos, 2022. "The Topology of Cultural Destinations’ Accessibility: The Case of Attica, Greece," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-23, February.
    7. Serafeim Polyzos & Dimitrios Tsiotas, 2020. "Regional airports in Greece, their characteristics and their importance for the local economic development," Papers 2001.09666, arXiv.org.
    8. Owais A. Hussain & Faraz Zaidi & Céline Rozenblat, 2019. "Analyzing Diversity, Strength and Centrality of Cities Using Networks of Multinational Firms," Networks and Spatial Economics, Springer, vol. 19(3), pages 791-817, September.
    9. Serafeim POLYZOS & Dimitrios TSIOTAS, 2023. "Interregional Transport Infrastructures And Regional Development: A Methodological Approach," Theoretical and Empirical Researches in Urban Management, Research Centre in Public Administration and Public Services, Bucharest, Romania, vol. 18(2), pages 5-31, May.
    10. Veacheslav SHEBANIN & Iurii KORMYSHKIN & Alona KLIUCHNYK & Iryna ALLAKHVERDIYEVA & Valentyna UMANSKA, 2022. "Tools Of Formation Of The System Of Socio-Economic Security Of Territorial Communities Of The Region," Regional Science Inquiry, Hellenic Association of Regional Scientists, vol. 0(1), pages 127-136, June.
    11. Roberto Scazzieri, 2022. "Decomposability and Relative Invariance: the Structural Approach to Network Complexity and Resilience," Networks and Spatial Economics, Springer, vol. 22(3), pages 635-657, September.
    12. Serafeim POLYZOS & Dimitrios TSIOTAS, 2020. "The Contribution Of Transport Infrastructures To The Economic And Regional Development: A Review Of The Conceptual Framework," Theoretical and Empirical Researches in Urban Management, Research Centre in Public Administration and Public Services, Bucharest, Romania, vol. 15(1), pages 5-23, February.
    13. Boeing, Geoff, 2018. "Urban Spatial Order: Street Network Orientation, Configuration, and Entropy," SocArXiv qj3p5, Center for Open Science.
    14. Filipos RUXHO & Christos Ap. LADIAS & Ali TAFARSHIKU & Edib ABAZI, 2023. "Regional Employees Perceptions On Decent Work And Economic Growth: Labour Market Of Albania And Kosovo," Regional Science Inquiry, Hellenic Association of Regional Scientists, vol. 0(2), pages 13-23, June.
    15. Dimitrios TSIOTAS & Labros SDROLIAS & Georgios ASPRIDIS & Ioannis PAPADIMOPOULOS, 2020. "Geographical And Socioeconomic Determinants In The Topology Of Spatial Networks: Evidence From The Interregional Road Network In Greece," Theoretical and Empirical Researches in Urban Management, Research Centre in Public Administration and Public Services, Bucharest, Romania, vol. 15(3), pages 5-28, August.
    16. Umut ERDEM & Dimitrios TSIOTAS & K. Mert CUBUKCU, 2019. "Population Dynamics In Network Topology: The Case Of Air Transport Network In Turkey," Management Research and Practice, Research Centre in Public Administration and Public Services, Bucharest, Romania, vol. 11(2), pages 5-20, June.
    17. Dimitrios Tsiotas & César Ducruet, 2021. "Measuring the effect of distance on the network topology of the Global Container Shipping Network," Post-Print halshs-03408185, HAL.
    18. Ilirjana ZYBERI & Antoneta POLO, 2021. "Impact Of Service And E-Service Quality, Price And Image On The Trust And Loyalty Of The Electronic Banking Customers," Regional Science Inquiry, Hellenic Association of Regional Scientists, vol. 0(1), pages 59-68, June.
    19. Dimitrios TSIOTAS, 2022. "A Network-Based Algorithm For Computing Keynesian Income Multipliers In Multiregional Systems," Regional Science Inquiry, Hellenic Association of Regional Scientists, vol. 0(2), pages 25-46, June.
    20. Ivano Cardinale, 2022. "Vulnerability, Resilience and ‘Systemic Interest’: a Connectivity Approach," Networks and Spatial Economics, Springer, vol. 22(3), pages 691-707, September.
    21. Tsiotas, Dimitrios, 2021. "Drawing indicators of economic performance from network topology: The case of the interregional road transportation in Greece," Research in Transportation Economics, Elsevier, vol. 90(C).
    22. Umut Erdem & K. Mert Cubukcu & Dimitrios Tsiotas, 2020. "Mapping the topology of the air transport network in Turkey," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 52(1), pages 6-9, February.
    23. Vasileios PAPADIMITRIOU & Serafeim POLYZOS & Dimitrios TSIOTAS, 2023. "Renewable Energy Project Appraisal Using The Real Options Methodology," Regional Science Inquiry, Hellenic Association of Regional Scientists, vol. 0(1), pages 85-96, June.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. César Ducruet & Laurent Beauguitte, 2014. "Spatial Science and Network Science: Review and Outcomes of a Complex Relationship," Networks and Spatial Economics, Springer, vol. 14(3), pages 297-316, December.
    2. Tsiotas, Dimitrios & Niavis, Spyros & Sdrolias, Labros, 2018. "Operational and geographical dynamics of ports in the topology of cruise networks: The case of Mediterranean," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 72(C), pages 23-35.
    3. César Ducruet, 2020. "The geography of maritime networks: A critical review," Post-Print halshs-02922543, HAL.
    4. Ducruet, César, 2017. "Multilayer dynamics of complex spatial networks: The case of global maritime flows (1977–2008)," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 47-58.
    5. Nicanor García Álvarez & Belarmino Adenso-Díaz & Laura Calzada-Infante, 2021. "Maritime Traffic as a Complex Network: a Systematic Review," Networks and Spatial Economics, Springer, vol. 21(2), pages 387-417, June.
    6. Dong-Joon Kang & Su-Han Woo, 2017. "Liner shipping networks, port characteristics and the impact on port performance," Maritime Economics & Logistics, Palgrave Macmillan;International Association of Maritime Economists (IAME), vol. 19(2), pages 274-295, June.
    7. Dirzka, Christopher & Acciaro, Michele, 2022. "Global shipping network dynamics during the COVID-19 pandemic's initial phases," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).
    8. Zuzanna Kosowska-Stamirowska & César Ducruet & Nishant Rai, 2016. "Evolving structure of the maritime trade network: evidence from the Lloyd’s Shipping Index (1890–2000)," Journal of Shipping and Trade, Springer, vol. 1(1), pages 1-17, December.
    9. Tocchi, Daniela & Sys, Christa & Papola, Andrea & Tinessa, Fiore & Simonelli, Fulvio & Marzano, Vittorio, 2022. "Hypergraph-based centrality metrics for maritime container service networks: A worldwide application," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 98(C).
    10. Yu, Hongchu & Fang, Zhixiang & Lu, Feng & Murray, Alan T. & Zhang, Hengcai & Peng, Peng & Mei, Qiang & Chen, Jinhai, 2019. "Impact of oil price fluctuations on tanker maritime network structure and traffic flow changes," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 237(C), pages 390-403.
    11. Sugimura, Yoshihisa & Akakura, Yasuhiro & Yotsushima, Tatsuki & Kawasaki, Tomoya, 2023. "Evaluation of Japanese port policies through network analysis," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 135(C), pages 59-70.
    12. Hongchu Yu & Zhixiang Fang & Guojun Peng & Mingxiang Feng, 2017. "Revealing the Linkage Network Dynamic Structures of Chinese Maritime Ports through Automatic Information System Data," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(10), pages 1-17, October.
    13. Viljoen, Nadia M. & Joubert, Johan W., 2016. "The vulnerability of the global container shipping network to targeted link disruption," Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Elsevier, vol. 462(C), pages 396-409.
    14. Tsiotas, Dimitrios, 2021. "Drawing indicators of economic performance from network topology: The case of the interregional road transportation in Greece," Research in Transportation Economics, Elsevier, vol. 90(C).
    15. Calatayud, Agustina & Mangan, John & Palacin, Roberto, 2017. "Connectivity to international markets: A multi-layered network approach," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 61-71.
    16. Nguyen Tran & Hans-Dietrich Haasis, 2014. "Empirical analysis of the container liner shipping network on the East-West corridor (1995–2011)," Netnomics, Springer, vol. 15(3), pages 121-153, November.
    17. Ducruet, César & Itoh, Hidekazu, 2022. "The spatial determinants of innovation diffusion: Evidence from global shipping networks," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 101(C).
    18. Zhicheng Shen & Xinliang Xu & Jiahao Li & Shikuan Wang, 2019. "Vulnerability of the Maritime Network to Tropical Cyclones in the Northwest Pacific and the Northern Indian Ocean," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(21), pages 1-14, November.
    19. Peng, Peng & Poon, Jessie P.H. & Yang, Yu & Lu, Feng & Cheng, Shifen, 2019. "Global oil traffic network and diffusion of influence among ports using real time data," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 172(C), pages 333-342.
    20. Nadia M. Viljoen & Johan W. Joubert, 2018. "The Road most Travelled: The Impact of Urban Road Infrastructure on Supply Chain Network Vulnerability," Networks and Spatial Economics, Springer, vol. 18(1), pages 85-113, March.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:kap:netspa:v:18:y:2018:i:1:d:10.1007_s11067-017-9354-1. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.