Influence of Hubs on Information Cascades
A hub as previously defined is a website or other information entity that tends to have good sharing routes and connections as well as releasing convincing information that tends to diffuse through a network quickly. In the study linked below the researchers examine how hubs can affect information cascades in a network. Specifically three different possible factors are defined; network centrality for determining hubs, hubs’ incorrect decisions in the early
diffusion stage, and the social influence of hubs in the process of information diffusion. The conclusion of the study is that hubs often can influence or create information cascades in a network. Given their influence on networks it would make sense for hubs to have major impact on information cascades as much of the information in a network originates and is collected at a hub. Incorrect information from a hub can be quite detrimental to a network as this can result in information cascades that can cause incorrect decisions by individuals who receive this incorrect information due to a cascade. Hubs play an essential role in the diffusion of information so keeping tabs on them and controlling the information release by hubs can be crucial in protecting a network from incorrect information cascades.
We have seen how much impact hubs have on network behaviors and their essential role in information diffusion. In financial markets a hub can have massive effects on how the market behaves and if a hub releases incorrect information about predicted behavior in the market it has dire consequences. It is important to control these hubs so that market failure or other detrimental trends are avoided. Hubs also have the power to control positive information in market so control of a hub is a great tool with many dangers. Examining how information is spread by a hub is crucial for understanding how to control markets using good techniques for information release as well as examining the validity of any information in a network.
http://www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/pdfplus/10.1108/MD-10-2016-0681