Connectivity criteria for ranking network nodes

Abstract

In this work we introduce a new quantitative criteria for assessing the connectivity of nodes based on the well known concept of edge-connectivity. We call the new criteria the connectivity numbers of a node. They consist of a hierarchy of measures that starts with a local measure that progressively becomes a global connectivity measure of the network. We show that the connectivity numbers can be computed in polynomial time. Experimental results are described showing how the proposed approach compares to other well known concepts involving connectivity and centrality of network nodes in real and synthetic networks. © 2011 Springer-Verlag.