ABSTRACT

Networks can be studied from different points of view, for example, from a local, global, or mesoscale perspective. This chapter explores these approaches using different methodologies with the goal of studying general and particular properties of networks through the analysis that consists of different experiments on a unique, interesting, and particular economic network. It reviews research on the structures and characteristics of the large-scale Estonian network of payments. The chapter focuses on the analysis of: global and local topology, community detection and structure, fractal and multifractal properties. A random network is the most basic model of all network formations, and it is based on the assumption that a fully random process is responsible for the structure of the links in a network. The properties of random network models provide rich insight of the characteristics and features that many economic and social networks share.