A measure of centrality based on network efficiency

Abstract

We introduce delta centralities, a new class of measures of structural centrality for networks. In particular, we focus on a measure in this class, the information centrality CI, which is based on the concept of efficient propagation of information over the network. CI is defined for both valued and non-valued graphs, and applies to groups as well as individuals. The measure is illustrated and compared with respect to the standard centrality measures by using a classic network data set. The statistical distribution of information centrality is investigated by considering large computer generated graphs and two networks from the real world. © IOP Publishing Ltd and Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft.