Q analysis

Using a unique data set collected in France among biotech entrepreneurs and their venture capital investors (VCs), we measure the added value of personal relationships at the interorganizational level. Our analyses show that when two entrepreneurs share a personal collaboration tie or a personal friendship tie with a VC investor, the probability of having an advice tie and thus exchange tacit knowledge increases significantly. We confirm the importance of this kind of social embeddedness in the biotech industry where personalized ties--as opposed to institutional and contractual relationships--at the interorganizational level had not yet been examined systematically. Our results suggest that strategies of personalization of exchanges are vital for interorganizational learning. These strategies help entrepreneurs to access resources, participate in knowledge building, and co-orientate activities in this sector. Personalization of economic interactions is at the heart of contemporary renewal of economic sociology. Granovetter's work on the strength of weak ties (1973) and social embeddedness of market exchanges (1985) initiated a large number of studies showing the effect of interindividual relationships on economic activities. In this article, we apply this approach to the study of the biotech industry. This sector has been widely examined in social sciences from the perspective of contractual ties but rarely from the perspective of personalized ties. This is surprising because existing research, while assuming the existence of interindividual relationships and considering such ties to be very important, observe contractual ties exclusively. We rely on results obtained at the intraorganizational level in the study of advice networks, multiplex networks, and the collective learning process in order to develop a model of analysis to test the added value of personal relationships in that sector. We use a unique data set on collaboration, advice, and friendship ties that biotech entrepreneurs maintain with each other and with their investors in venture capital (VC). Our results provide support to the idea that personalized ties add value for collective learning in that

Studies of entrepreneurial networks have largely concentrated on one or the other of the two dominant network perspectives – structural or flow. We argue that an integrated approach can provide new insights into interactions of different types of flows across actors, and the interdependence of structures and flows. Because of this either-or divide, we know relatively little about how both these perspectives combine to create distinct network configurations. In response, we contrast and integrate structural and flow complexity to develop a typology of four network configurations: clusters, cliques, communities and crowds. By adopting the structural contingency theory logic, we identify network goals and capabilities on which the performance of each configuration is contingent. Rent seeking and opportunity seeking goals, and intermediation and mediation capabilities correspond with low and high levels of structural complexity, respectively. Efficiency seeking and synergy seeking goals...

Multiplexity occurs in entrepreneurial networks when flows interact within and across relationships. It defines how these networks function and evolve and cannot be examined by studying network structure or flows separately. Despite the growing recognition of the importance of multiplexity, related research has remained limited and lacks an integrated approach to simultaneously examine structure and flows, thus restricting our understanding of entrepreneurial networks. We propose an integrated approach for conducting inductive studies into multiplexity, involving an adaptation of the "business networks" conceptual model, the configuration theory perspective, and the Q-analysis method.

Formal concept analysis associates a lattice of formal concepts to a binary relation. The structure of the relation can then be described in terms of lattice theory. On the other hand Q-analysis associates a simplicial complex to a binary relation and studies its properties using topological methods. This paper investigates which mathematical invariants studied in one approach can be captured in the other. Our main result is that all homotopy invariant properties of the simplicial complex can be recovered from the structure of the concept lattice. This not only clarifies the relationships between two frameworks widely used in symbolic data analysis but also offers an effective new method to establish homotopy equivalence in the context of Q-analysis. As a musical application, we will investigate Olivier Messiaen's modes of limited transposition. We will use our theoretical result to show that the simplicial complex associated to a maximal mode with m transpositions is homotopy equivalent to the (m − 2)-dimensional sphere. Keywords. formal concept analysis; Q-analysis; simplicial complex; homotopy invariance; Betti numbers; combinatorial classification of harmonies; mode of limited transposition 2 A brief tour in FCA and Q-analysis Both FCA and Q-analysis study the relationships between two finite sets by looking at the boolean matrix specifying the interactions between elements of the sets. Following the terminology of formal concept analysis we associate rows of this incidence matrix with objects and columns with attributes. Then the table contains the value true at position (i, j) if the i-th object has the j-th attribute. See figure 1 (top center) for an example (crosses represent the value true). 2.1 FCA background The formal notion corresponding to such a table is that of a formal context. We will often drop the specification "formal". Definition 2.1. A formal context 2 is a triple K = (G, M, I) where I ⊂ G × M is a binary relation. Elements of G are called objects and elements of M are called attributes. We always assume that G and M are finite, and that the formal context is clarified. The latter means that no object has all attributes and that no attribute holds for all objects. The requirement of finiteness and the interdiction of full rows and columns is usually not included in the definition. As shown in [GW99, p. 27] the latter is not actually a restriction

This paper attempted to explore the impact of advice, adversarial network, and friendship networks degree centrality on the entrepreneurial success of mobile phone retailers. The total sample consisted of 199 entrepreneurs in Quetta city. Data were collected using a partly borrowed questionnaire of 19 items (13 for achievement 6 for business success). The results of the hierarchical regression analyses showed that there was a positive relationship between friendship and advice network degree and a negative significant relationship between entrepreneurial success and adversarial network degree. So, supportive social networks play a vital role in entrepreneurial success, where rivalry network centrality disrupt entrepreneurial success. If the entrepreneurs have a higher social network those entrepreneurs are successful in the market.

Multiplexity occurs in entrepreneurial networks when flows interact within and across relationships. It defines how these networks function and evolve and cannot be examined by studying network structure or flows separately. Despite the growing recognition of the importance of multiplexity, related research has remained limited and lacks an integrated approach to simultaneously examine structure and flows, thus restricting our understanding of entrepreneurial networks. We propose an integrated approach for conducting inductive studies into multiplexity, involving an adaptation of the "business networks" conceptual model, the configuration theory perspective, and the Q-analysis method.

This study investigates the effects of venture typology, race, ethnicity, and past venture experience on the social capital distribution of women entrepreneurs in entrepreneurial ecosystems. Social network data from two municipal ecosystems in Florida, USA (Gainesville and Jacksonville), suggest that network connectivity and the distribution of social capital are significantly different for men and women entrepreneurs. This difference is contingent on the venture type. Male entrepreneurs show higher comparative scores of bridging social capital in aggressive-and managed-growth venture networks, while women entrepreneurs surpass their male counterparts' bridging capital scores in lifestyle and survival venture networks. Lastly, experienced women entrepreneurs that self-identified as white showed a higher degree of network connectivity and bridging social capital in the entrepreneurial ecosystem than less experienced non-white female entrepreneurs. Implications for entrepreneurship practice and new research paths are discussed.

Abstract. We propose a computational model for analogy solving based on a topological formalism of representation. The source and the target analogs are represented as simplexes and the analogy solving is modeled as a topological deformation of these simplexes along a polygonal chain and according to some constraints. We apply this framework to the resolution of IQ-tests typically presented as “given

Abstract. We propose a computational model for analogy solving based on a topological formalism of representation. The source and the target analogs are represented as simplexes and the analogy solving is modeled as a topological deformation of these simplexes along a polygonal chain and according to some constraints. We apply this framework to the resolution of IQ-tests typically presented as “given

The paper gives the investigation on organizational structure ontology. It presents a theoretical foundation for understanding organizational structure ontology by means of structural analysis. Also it discusses and provides an overview of advanced business modeling environment and enterprise modeling. The proposed solution architecture improves organizational structure of an enterprise in order to be more efficient and to be aligned with the current processes organization. The structural analysis based on Q-analysis method and using different measures like eccentricity and complexity of a system are described. It illustrates the use of structural analysis base on Q-analysis method by giving an illustration to prove how to ensure synchronization between formal organizational structure and emergent one, due to perceived changes in business processes.

A mathematical formalism is sketched for representing relational structure between agents. n-ary relations, n > 2, require hypernetworks, which generalize binary relation networks. n-ary relations on sets create structure at higher levels of representation to the elements in multilevel systems. The state of a system is represented by its multilevel relational structure. The dynamics of a system are represented by state changes through time. These can be continuous with no change in the hypernetwork topology, but often they are not. Controlling such systems involves taking actions intended to result in desirable state changes. The concept of multilevel hypernetwork can be applied to multiagent systems in general.

We propose a two-parametric non-distributive algebraic structure that follows from (q, q ′)-logarithm and (q, q ′)-exponential functions. Properties of generalized (q, q ′)operators are analyzed. We also generalize the proposal into a multi-parametric structure (generalization of logarithm and exponential functions and the corresponding algebraic operators). All n-parameter expressions recover (n − 1)-generalization when the corresponding q n → 1. Nonextensive statistical mechanics has been the source of successive generalizations of entropic forms and mathematical structures, in which this work is a consequence.

Background: Hypernetworks are based on topological simplicial complexes and generalize the concept of twobody relation to many-body relation. Furthermore, Hypernetworks provide a significant generalization of network theory, enabling the integration of relational structure, logic and analytic dynamics. A pulmonary embolism is a blockage of the main artery of the lung or one of its branches, frequently fatal. Our study uses data on 28 diagnostic features of 1427 people considered to be at risk of pulmonary embolism enrolled in the Department of Internal and Subintensive Medicine of an Italian National Hospital "Ospedali Riuniti di Ancona". Patients arrived in the department after a first screening executed by the emergency room. The resulting neural hypernetwork correctly recognized 94 % of those developing pulmonary embolism. This is better than previous results obtained with other methods (statistical selection of features, partial least squares regression, topological data analysis in a metric space). In this work we successfully derived a new integrative approach for the analysis of partial and incomplete datasets that is based on Q-analysis with machine learning. The new approach, called Neural Hypernetwork, has been applied to a case study of pulmonary embolism diagnosis. The novelty of this method is that it does not use clinical parameters extracted by imaging analysis.

Pulmonary Embolism (PE) is a relatively common and potentially lethal condition. Most patients die in the first few hours from the event. Despite advances in diagnostics, delays in PE diagnosis are common and represent an important issue. As a cause of sudden death, massive PE is second only to arrhythmic death. Among survivors, recurrent embolism and death can be prevented with prompt diagnosis and therapy. Unfortunately, diagnosis is often missed because patients often present with nonspecific signs and symptoms. If left untreated, approximately one third of patients who survive an initial pulmonary embolism die from a subsequent embolic episode. Independently to the anatomic extension of the embolism, the vascular involvement and the dimensions of the thrombus, it is now widely accepted that the most important prognostic marker is hemodynamic compromise. Classically, PE has been subdivided in massive, hemodynamically unstable (shock, hypotension or cardiac arrest), submassive (no...

Background: Hypernetworks are based on topological simplicial complexes and generalize the concept of twobody relation to many-body relation. Furthermore, Hypernetworks provide a significant generalization of network theory, enabling the integration of relational structure, logic and analytic dynamics. A pulmonary embolism is a blockage of the main artery of the lung or one of its branches, frequently fatal. Results: Our study uses data on 28 diagnostic features of 1427 people considered to be at risk of pulmonary embolism enrolled in the Department of Internal and Subintensive Medicine of an Italian National Hospital "Ospedali Riuniti di Ancona". Patients arrived in the department after a first screening executed by the emergency room. The resulting neural hypernetwork correctly recognized 94 % of those developing pulmonary embolism. This is better than previous results obtained with other methods (statistical selection of features, partial least squares regression, topological data analysis in a metric space). Conclusion: In this work we successfully derived a new integrative approach for the analysis of partial and incomplete datasets that is based on Q-analysis with machine learning. The new approach, called Neural Hypernetwork, has been applied to a case study of pulmonary embolism diagnosis. The novelty of this method is that it does not use clinical parameters extracted by imaging analysis.

Multiplexity occurs in entrepreneurial networks when flows interact within and across relationships. It defines how these networks function and evolve and cannot be examined by studying network structure or flows separately. Despite the growing recognition of the importance of multiplexity, related research has remained limited and lacks an integrated approach to simultaneously examine structure and flows, thus restricting our understanding of entrepreneurial networks. We propose an integrated approach for conducting inductive studies into multiplexity, involving an adaptation of the "business networks" conceptual model, the configuration theory perspective, and the Q-analysis method.

Notice 1 Under the Copyright Act 1968, this thesis must be used only under the normal conditions of scholarly fair dealing. In particular no results or conclusions should be extracted from it, nor should it be copied or closely paraphrased in whole or in part without the written consent of the author. Proper written acknowledgement should be made for any assistance obtained from this thesis. ii Declaration of originality I hereby declare that this thesis contains no material which has been accepted for the award of any other degree or diploma at any university or equivalent institution and that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, this thesis contains no material previously published or written by another person, except where due reference is made in the text of the thesis.

In this thesis I explain how research on entrepreneurial networks has been dominated by two approaches: one focussing on network structures (connections between actors) and one on network flows (exchange or transformation of resources within relationships). Using configuration theory, I then make the case for an integrated approach that considers the interdependence between network structures and network flows. To achieve this, I present three papers, the first of which has been published and the other two are being revised for publication in a journal. In the first paper I examine the affect of network embeddedness (i.e., the degree to which social structure and processes shape economic action) on the performance of new technology based firms and argue that operationalizations of network embeddedness would benefit from incorporating structural network measures as well as measures of the attributes of individual relationships. I then present a second paper in which I describe a model and method (Q-analysis) for conceptualising and measuring variations in the structure-flow interdependence of networks. Together, the model and method facilitate richer examinations of the form and function of entrepreneurial networks. In the third paper I develop a typology of four network configurations based on variations in network structural complexity and network flow complexity. I then describe how different network management capabilities are suited to each of the network configurations. Together these three papers provide contributions that will help researchers to study how structure-flow interdependence affects the configuration, multiplexity (i.e., how multiple flows interact within and across relationships) and evolution of entrepreneurial networks.

Nonextensive statistical mechanics has been a source of investigation in mathematical structures such as deformed algebraic structures. In this work, we present some consequences of q-operations on the construction of q-numbers for all numerical sets. Based on such a construction, we present a new product that distributes over the q-sum. Finally, we present different patterns of q-Pascal's triangles, based on q-sum, whose elements are q-numbers.

In this thesis I explain how research on entrepreneurial networks has been dominated by two approaches: one focussing on network structures (connections between actors) and one on network flows (exchange or transformation of resources within relationships). Using configuration theory, I then make the case for an integrated approach that considers the interdependence between network structures and network flows. To achieve this, I present three papers, the first of which has been published and the other two are being revised for publication in a journal. In the first paper I examine the affect of network embeddedness (i.e., the degree to which social structure and processes shape economic action) on the performance of new technology based firms and argue that operationalizations of network embeddedness would benefit from incorporating structural network measures as well as measures of the attributes of individual relationships. I then present a second paper in which I describe a model and method (Q-analysis) for conceptualising and measuring variations in the structure-flow interdependence of networks. Together, the model and method facilitate richer examinations of the form and function of entrepreneurial networks. In the third paper I develop a typology of four network configurations based on variations in network structural complexity and network flow complexity. I then describe how different network management capabilities are suited to each of the network configurations. Together these three papers provide contributions that will help researchers to study how structure-flow interdependence affects the configuration, multiplexity (i.e., how multiple flows interact within and across relationships) and evolution of entrepreneurial networks.

In this paper, we show how some musical objects and some algorithmic problems arising in musical theory can be rephrased in spatial terms. This leads to the development of meaningful spatial representations and of efficient spatial programs. The corresponding developments have been implemented in MGS, a rule-based spatial programming language.

We represent chord collections by simplicial complexes. A temporal organization of the chords corresponds to a path in the complex. A set of n-note chords equivalent up to transposition and inversion is represented by a complex related by its 1-skeleton to a generalized Tonnetz. Complexes are computed with MGS, a spatial computing language, and analyzed and visualized in Hexachord, a computer-aided music analysis environment. We introduce the notion of compliance, a measure of the ability of a chord-based simplicial complex to represent compactly a musical object. Some examples illustrate the use of this notion to characterize musical pieces and styles.

Le raisonnement diagrammatique s' int resse l'utilisation des relations spatiales pour la reprsentation de connaisances et la mod lisation de certains raisonnements. Cela inclut les domaines des formalismes visuels Har95], des inf rences diagrammatiques GPP95, Lin95], des approches diagrammatiques de la logique Shi91, BE95], la physique qualitative For95] et la formalisation des relations spatiales. Dans tous les cas, il est primordial de se pencher sur le choix d'une reprsentation pour supporter un raisonnement diagrammatique.