Beyond Centrality: Conditional Connectivity and Boundary Control in Interdependent Networks

Abstract

Network analysis has transformed the study of power by showing how centrality, brokerage, dependence, exit options, and network topology shape influence. This working paper develops a Node-Boundary-Network-System framework centered on conditional usability. It defines a boundary as an actor-, function-, direction-, and time-indexed admissibility state, while distinguishing rules, interfaces, and control-rights bundles. The paper separates structural position, available leverage, boundary action, admissible capacity, target response, network adaptation, and system transformation, and distinguishes systemic effects from systemic power. A semiconductor-export-control walkthrough using NVIDIA A100/H100 product-time evidence illustrates the coding logic without claiming a causal estimate of policy effectiveness. The paper concludes that NBNS adds value when actor-function-specific admissibility, implementation-interface evidence, and disaggregated control-right configurations explain variation not resolved by topology, resources, jurisdiction, institutional capacity, dependence, and cross-network position.