Characterization of complex networks by higher order neighborhood properties

A concept of higher order neighborhood in complex networks, introduced previously [Phys. Rev. E <Emphasis Type="Bold">73, 046101 (2006)], is systematically explored to investigate larger scale structures in complex networks. The basic idea is to consider each higher order neighborhood as a network in itself, represented by a corresponding adjacency matrix, and to settle a plenty of new parameters in order to obtain a best characterization of the whole network. Usual network indices are then used to evaluate the properties of each neighborhood. The identification of high order neighborhoods is also regarded as intermediary step towards the evaluation of global network properties, like the diameter, average shortest path between node, and network fractal dimension. Results for a large number of typical networks are presented and discussed. Copyright EDP Sciences/Società Italiana di Fisica/Springer-Verlag 2008