The complexity of measuring power in generalized opinion leader decision models

We analyze the computational complexity of the power measure in models of collective decision: the generalized opinion leader-follower model and the oblivious and non-oblivious infuence models. We show that computing the power measure is #P-hard in all these models, and provide two subfamilies in which the power measure can be computed in polynomial time.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Measuring satisfaction in societies with opinion leaders and mediators

An opinion leader-follower model (OLF) is a two-action collective decision-making model for societies, in which three kinds of actors are considered:Preprin

Measuring satisfaction and power in influence based decision systems

We introduce collective decision-making models associated with influence spread under the linear threshold model in social networks. We define the oblivious and the non-oblivious influence models. We also introduce the generalized opinion leader–follower model (gOLF) as an extension of the opinion leader–follower model (OLF) proposed by van den Brink et al. (2011). In our model we allow rules for the final decision different from the simple majority used in OLF. We show that gOLF models are non-oblivious influence models on a two-layered bipartite influence digraph. Together with OLF models, the satisfaction and the power measures were introduced and studied. We analyze the computational complexity of those measures for the decision models introduced in the paper. We show that the problem of computing the satisfaction or the power measure is #P-hard in all the introduced models even when the subjacent social network is a bipartite graph. Complementing this result, we provide two subfamilies of decision models in which both measures can be computed in polynomial time. We show that the collective decision functions are monotone and therefore they define an associated simple game. We relate the satisfaction and the power measures with the Rae index and the Banzhaf value of an associated simple game. This will allow the use of known approximation methods for computing the Banzhaf value, or the Rae index to their practical computation.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Satisfaction and power in unanimous majority influence decision models

We consider decision models associated with cooperative influence games, the oblivious and the non-oblivious influence models. In those models the satisfaction and the power measures were introduced and studied. We analyze the computational complexity of those measures when the in uence level is set to unanimity and the rule of decision is simple majority. We show that computing the satisfaction and the power measure in those systems are #P-hard.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

The Dynamics of Public Opinion in Complex Networks

This paper studies the problem of public opinion formation and concentrates on the interplays among three factors: individual attributes, environmental influences and information flow. We present a simple model to analyze the dynamics of four types of networks. Our simulations suggest that regular communities establish not only local consensus, but also global diversity in public opinions. However, when small world networks, random networks, or scale-free networks model social relationships, the results are sensitive to the elasticity coefficient of environmental influences and the average connectivity of the type of network. For example, a community with a higher average connectivity has a higher probability of consensus. Yet, it is misleading to predict results merely based on the characteristic path length of networks. In the process of changing environmental influences and average connectivity, sensitive areas are discovered in the system. By sensitive areas we mean that interior randomness emerges and we cannot predict unequivocally how many opinions will remain upon reaching equilibrium. We also investigate the role of authoritative individuals in information control. While enhancing average connectivity facilitates the diffusion of the authoritative opinion, it makes individuals subject to disturbance from non-authorities as well. Thus, a moderate average connectivity may be preferable because then the public will most likely form an opinion that is parallel with the authoritative one. In a community with a scale-free structure, the influence of authoritative individuals keeps constant with the change of the average connectivity. Provided that the influence of individuals is proportional to the number of their acquaintances, the smallest percentage of authorities is required for a controlled consensus in a scale free network. This study shows that the dynamics of public opinion varies from community to community due to the different degree of impressionability of people and the distinct social network structure of the community.Public Opinion, Complex Network, Consensus, Agent-Based Model

Technology Adoption by Groups: A Valence Perspective

While past research has contributed to an understanding of how organizations or individuals adopt technologies, little is known about how such adoption occurs in groups. Given the widespread acknowledgment that organizations are moving to group-based structures and that groups often utilize technologies for performing their tasks, it is critical that we understand how such collective social entities adopt technologies. Such an understanding can better guide investment and implementation decisions. In this paper, we draw on existing literature about groups, technology characteristics, and valence to conceptualize a model of technology adoption by groups (referred to as the TAG model). We view the TAG phenomenon as a process of communication and negotiation in which analytically distinct factors-such as the individual members\u27 a priori attitudes toward the technology, the majority subgroup\u27s opinion, high-status members\u27 opinions, substantive conflict, and relevant characteristics of the technology play an important role. We develop several theoretical propositions regarding the nature of the contribution of these factors toward an adoption decision and discuss measurement tradeoffs and guidelines

Global Leadership Competencies

This thesis studies the competencies, i.e. the knowledge, skills, abilities and personality characteristics important for global leaders. The objective is to find a generalizable set of competencies that are found crucial for effective global leaders by both literature and practice. The second objective of this study is to identify the most effective developmental methods for the identified competencies. The theoretical part of this study provides a literature overview of the subject by identifying a framework of a generalizable set of competencies important for global leaders from different authors’ perspectives. Also the most effective developmental methods are identified for these competencies. The literature review functions as a basis for the empirical part, which is a qualitative study of the subject. It was conducted by semi-structured interviews of HR professionals and/or managers with global responsibilities and the findings were then compared to and combined with the findings of the literature review in an attempt to form a generalizable set of competencies important for global leaders. The main finding of this study shows, that the most important competencies for global leaders have to do with one’s personality characteristics and are deeper in the core of a person. Thus, the most important competencies for global leaders are also the ones hardest to change. To affect to these kinds of competencies requires more profound, life-changing developmental experience.fi=Opinnäytetyö kokotekstinä PDF-muodossa.|en=Thesis fulltext in PDF format.|sv=Lärdomsprov tillgängligt som fulltext i PDF-format