Date of Award
8-1-2012
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Computer Science
First Advisor
Hexmoor, Henry
Abstract
Our focus is on the confluence of social networks and virtual organizations. In massively networked populations, ideologies and aspirations spread at phenomenally fast pace. The Arab spring, for instance, arose in Tunisia on December 17, 2010 and its effects were seen in several countries in a short time. Social action, such as in Tunisia, is often observed as network spikes and bursts that propagate and saturate the network rapidly. There are several organizational models published that explain behavioral dynamics in organizations. However, none of these models have the representational power of modeling spontaneous exigencies of a networked organization that account for rapid rates of dissemination in ad-hoc networks. Therefore, we have conceived this in a life cycle for a prototypical spontaneous, networked organization (SNO) and describe operations therein from formation to dissolution. After describing the life cycle, we offer insights for a model of a successful SNO. Furthermore, we have implemented a spacecraft organization of satellites using Netlogo for further validation of our model.
Access
This thesis is only available for download to the SIUC community. Current SIUC affiliates may also access this paper off campus by searching Dissertations & Theses @ Southern Illinois University Carbondale from ProQuest. Others should contact the interlibrary loan department of your local library or contact ProQuest's Dissertation Express service.