Citation

Harary F, Batell MF. Soc. Netw. 1981; 3(1): 29-40.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1981, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/0378-8733(81)90003-4

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

A new definition and model of a system is presented utilizing graph theoretic concepts and introducing nested graphs. By a comprehensive search of the literature, this abstract formulation of a system is shown to incorporate extant theory. The approach of Emery and Trist using open and closed systems, the system-environment model of Cartwright and Harary, and the structural role system of Oeser and Harary are all subsumed as special cases. The value of such a theory is discussed in statistical terms by considering correlational problems and Simpson's paradox. A general problem-solving algorithm is presented, using this model of a system, suggested by a simultaneous generalization of the statistical procedures of cluster analysis and stagewise regression. An example is interpreted in the nested network framework, illustrating the applicability of the model to empirical situations.