Cooperation and Coordination in Decentralized Communication Networks

Research has shown that decentralized networks and organizations perform better and have more satisfied members than centralized ones. Further, decentralized self-organizing networks are superior when solving complex problems. Despite mounting research in support of decentralized networks, the means of how to foster and maintain a decentralized, yet coordinated network remains a particular problem. The current line of research proposes and illustrates a flock theory, which models decentralized organizational communication. Grounded in literature from social networks, flock theory represents a model for the decentralized evolution of communicative networks. The flock model is extended to integrate roadmap based flocking, bipartite networks, and findings from small world networks research to create a theory of cooperation, coordination, and navigation within decentralized communication networks. Empirical illustrations of flock theory are conducted via a case study, providing initial support for the theory.