Understanding the evolutionary dynamics and adaptation of complex networks

This study aims to explore the co-evolutionary processes of network structure and state for examining the evolutionary dynamic and adaptation of networks. The study addresses several major areas of network research: network structure dynamics (ie., the longitudinal study of network structure); network evolution mechanisms (ie, variation, selection, retention); actors´ attachment logics (ie, cumulative advantage, embedding, multi-connectivity, homophily); and self-organized network behaviour. Theories and hypotheses from the intersection of network theories, evolutionary theories and complex adaptive systems are drawn and synthesized Finally the co-evolution of local dynamics versus global dynamics of networks over time has been explored through proposing a research framework.