Impact of network density on the efficiency of innovation networks: An agent-based simulation study

PLoS One. 2022 Jun 17;17(6):e0270087. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0270087. eCollection 2022.

Abstract

Network density is an important attribute that affects the efficiency of innovation networks. However, the understanding of how network density affects the innovation efficiency of innovation networks is still unclear and even controversial. This paper uses a multiagent simulation method to study this problem. First, an innovation simulation model is established to describe the generation process of innovations in the context of network innovation, and a classical random network model is used to generate a test set of structures with different network densities. Then, the innovation model is run on the test set of networks to obtain the innovation efficiency of the structures with different network densities. The result shows that for explorative innovation, high network density is more conducive to improving innovation efficiency, and for exploitative innovation, low network density is more conducive to improving innovation efficiency. However, when network density is small enough to destroy network connectivity, it will lead to a large risk of innovation failure. Finally, the reasons for the results are further analyzed, and the theoretical and practical significance of the conclusions are discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Computer Simulation
  • Efficiency*

Grants and funding

This research was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, grant number 71732002; China Postdoctoral Science Foundation, grant number 2020M671446. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.