Mathematics for management studies

Modern societies and organizations have become more complex: physical, personal and informational linkages strongly affect managerial activities in several applicative contexts. This new framework deserves adequate quantitative tools to be properly analyzed. This course will provide PhD students in Management with the basic concepts behind the idea of network, the main measurement tools and techniques needed to analyze information flows in network structures.

This course addresses some classical and more recent advances in the context of network theory. We will analyze the main social network structures, their properties and the basic tools of mathematics of networks. Finally, we will study how information, innovation and opinions spread through networks due to social interactions.

At the end of the course, the student will have acquired knowledges about the basic mathematical tools to deal with networks and social networks, the main measures and metrics related to networks, the concept of centrality and “importance” and their consequence for management studies (for example, the role of hubs and influencers). He/she will learn how to model diffusion of information on networks with applications to opinion dynamics, consensus formation and advice networks.

Students will be able to critically read, analyze, present and discuss academic papers related to the applications of network theory in the field of management.

Algebra of matrices (see e.g., Ch. 8,9,11,23 of Simon & Blume, Mathematics for Economists, Norton, 1994)
Basics of Probability Theory (see e.g., Ch. 4 of Ross, A first course in Probability, 8.th ed., Pearson, 2010)

1. Networks and social networks. Examples and applications
2. The mathematics of networks 1 (adjacency matrices, degree, connectivity)
3. The mathematics of networks 2 (components, paths and degree distribution)
4. Metrics and measures (centrality, similarity): hubs and influencers
5. The mean field approximation (from the Bass ’69 model to the new media)
6. Diffusions on networks and social interactions – SIR and SIS models
7. Random walks on graphs. The De Groot model for consensus
8. Opinion leaders and social influence: an application to advice networks

Jackson, M. O. Social and economic networks. Princeton University Press, 2008. [Ch. 1-3, 7-9]
Newman, M. Networks: an introduction. Oxford University Press, 2010. [Ch. 1-3, 6-8, 17]
Supplementary material and discussion papers will be provided by the instructor.

The evaluation is based on a written exam (70% of the final grade) and on the discussion of an academic paper (30% of the final grade).
The written exam consists in a set of problems (exercises) related to the program seen in class and in some theoretical questions. Mockups will be provided to students during the course.
The discussion of the academic paper will be delivered in class. The evaluation will be based to the understanding of the material, on the material prepared by the student and on the efficacy of the presentation.

Theoretical concepts and applications will be presented through standard classes. When needed, the analysis of theory and applications will be supported by the use of dedicated software. Students will be encouraged to read, analyze and, finally, discuss in class some academic papers.

English

Accessibility, Disability and Inclusion.

Accommodation and support services for students with disabilities and students with specific learning impairments Ca’ Foscari abides by Italian Law (Law 17/1999; Law 170/2010) regarding support services and accommodation available to students with disabilities. This includes students with mobility, visual, hearing and other disabilities (Law 17/1999), and specific learning impairments (Law 170/2010). If you have a disability or impairment that requires accommodations (i.e., alternate testing, readers, note takers or interpreters) please contact the Disability and Accessibility Offices in Student Services: disabilita@unive.it.

written and oral