Towards Understanding the Dynamics of Digital Communication Networks

Understanding structures and processes of virtual communication networks can help to improve knowledge sharing and collaboration in a corporate setting. One current research method for that objective is Social Network Analysis. Although this method can generate a static additive picture of the final structures resulting of virtual networks, it misses to uncover the underlying processes of structural evolvement. This article suggests and demonstrates a novel methodology which is based on longitudinal visualization of dynamic networks. It allows visualizing structural evolvement of communication networks over time and thus leads to improved understanding of networking processes. Using the corporate e-mail network of Enron, the approach is demonstrated by studying temporal activity bursts, organizational positions that integrate the virtual network, and longitudinal structural change.