Recently, ‘structural balance’ was generalized to ‘relaxed structural balance’ and a modified partitioning algorithm was proposed. Authors consider two algorithms for establishing partitions of signed networks in terms of relaxed structural balance. One is an older heuristic relocation algorithm available in program Pajek and the other is a new exact solution procedure. The former can be used both inductively and deductively. When used deductively, this requires some pre-specification incorporating substantive insights. The new branch-and-bound algorithm is used inductively and requires no pre-specification of an image matrix in terms of ideal blocks. Together, the two algorithms provide a sound foundation for partitioning signed networks and yield optimal partitions.
COBISS.SI-ID: 29777501
The article investigates the patterns of social use of interpersonal communication technologies that can be discerned in today's complex media environment, in which people have many channels available for interpersonal communication. The article starts with a comprehensive review of the comparative uses and gratification research of interpersonal communication media. It argues that these studies are efficient in answering questions such as why one device is preferred over another, but the approach they take is less suitable for an analysis of the patterns of actual use of interpersonal communication devices. While they build on various typologies of motives for media use, based upon psychological theories of motivations and needs, this article proposes that a valid typology of actual social uses of interpersonal media should be based on a social action theory in order to find general patterns of social use of interpersonal communication devices.
COBISS.SI-ID: 30475613
The purpose of the paper is to analyze the impact of the recent (2008-) economic crisis on information communication technology (ICT) spending. The empirical findings are discussed within a broader theoretical framework of technological trends/diffusion and economic cycles. The paper firstly introduces the innovation diffusion theory and theories of economic cycles. Next, it presents the analyses of the data from official statistics, international agencies and research companies. Finally, it summarizes the empirical findings within theoretical contexts. In general, crises always reduce spending and therefore also ICT spending. However, focusing on the recent crisis, it affected the ICT market selectively and also much less than other sectors. In addition, the empirical findings indicate that after decades of fast ICT expansion (1971-2000) we are now in the period of slower sectoral growth, which is in line with theories of super cycles, although, the authors also propose alternative explanations.
COBISS.SI-ID: 15384373