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Blockmodelling and role analysis in multi-relational networks

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Abstract

In this paper we introduce an approach for the analysis of multi-relational networks based on blockmodelling, investigation of role systems within these relations and an integrated visualisation to show all the analysis results in one representation. Our direct Blockmodelling-method is inspired by the Pajek-Approach generalised for two-relational networks and evaluated statistically against current indirect approaches. Based on the resulting blocks the interrelations between different relations are considered and represented as inclusion and equivalence dependencies. For better interpretation of these methods, we present a visualisation that presents actors, positions they belong, roles, and group concepts integrated and at one glimpse. Finally, we apply our methods to the “Krackhardt’s High-tech Managers” dataset to show the feasibility of the approach and present a different interpretation proposal for this well-known data set.

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  1. Catholic University Eichstätt-Ingolstadt, Ostenstr. 14, 85072, Eichstaett, Germany

    Andreas Harrer & Alona Schmidt

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  1. Andreas Harrer
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  2. Alona Schmidt
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Correspondence to Andreas Harrer.

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Harrer, A., Schmidt, A. Blockmodelling and role analysis in multi-relational networks. Soc. Netw. Anal. Min. 3, 701–719 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13278-013-0116-x

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