Complex networks adoption and diffusion simulator

Abstract

A review of the complex networks theory reveals a variety of important insights into customer-centric valuation in software markets. These allow one the formulation of the research hypotheses concerning the properties, dynamics and topologies of customer networks in software markets. In this chapter, a numerical complex networks adoption and diffusion simulator is developed for a two-fold purpose. First, the simulator is designed, as stated, in order to investigate the hypotheses in the following complex networks analysis of customer networks. The second, more general motivation is to provide a guideline for the design of a simulator that can be applied in order to investigate complex customer networks of real world software companies. Therefore, it is integrated in a later chapter of the book into the previously developed network effects framework. The result is a complex networks framework for valuation in software markets based on the complex networks adoption and diffusion simulator. For both reasons, the purpose of this chapter is to provide an overview of the design and implementation process as well as on the main features of the simulator. 1 .