Published 2026-08-31 | Version v1.0
Working PaperOpenPublished

Beyond Centrality

Conditional Connectivity and Boundary Control in Interdependent Networks

Description

This working paper develops a Node-Boundary-Network-System framework for analyzing conditional connectivity and boundary control in interdependent networks. It argues that power cannot be inferred from centrality, brokerage, dependence, jurisdiction, or cross-network position alone when the usability of a relation varies by actor, function, direction, and time. The paper defines boundaries as indexed admissibility states, distinguishes rules from implementation interfaces, decomposes control into rights bundles, and separates structural exposure, available leverage, boundary action, admissible capacity, target response, network adaptation, and system transformation. A semiconductor-export-control walkthrough using NVIDIA A100/H100 product-time evidence illustrates the coding logic without claiming a causal estimate of policy effectiveness.

Abstract

Network analysis has transformed the study of power by showing how centrality, brokerage, dependence, exit options, and network topology shape influence. Contemporary network science also provides mature tools for multilayer, temporal, and interdependent networks, while weaponized-interdependence research demonstrates that jurisdiction and domestic institutions can convert structural position into coercive leverage. This article develops a Node-Boundary-Network-System framework centered on conditional usability. A boundary is defined as an actor-, function-, direction-, and time-indexed admissibility state. Rules define admissibility criteria; interfaces implement crossing; and control-rights bundles identify who may set, interpret, authorize, veto, enforce, or override those conditions. The framework separates structural position, available leverage, boundary action, admissible capacity, target response, network adaptation, and system transformation, and distinguishes systemic effects from systemic power. Capacity equations are restricted to explicitly ratio-scaled admissible capacity and separate authorized flow, unauthorized flow, and probabilistic approval. A semiconductor-export-control walkthrough uses a concrete NVIDIA A100/H100 product-time trace to illustrate the coding logic without claiming a causal estimate of policy effectiveness. Four discriminating hypotheses and a three-layer comparison strategy specify how NBNS can be tested against topology-only baselines and near-neighbor theories that already incorporate jurisdiction, institutions, dependence, and cross-network position.

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Keywords

  • network power
  • conditional connectivity
  • boundary control
  • interdependence
  • access
  • decentralization
  • systemic power
  • strategic distance
  • AI governance
  • Node-Boundary-Network-System
  • NBNS
  • conditional usability
  • boundary power
  • admissible capacity
  • control-rights bundle
  • implementation interface
  • cross-network conversion
  • weaponized interdependence
  • cross-network weaponization
  • multilayer networks
  • temporal networks
  • systems theory
  • semiconductor export controls
  • NVIDIA A100
  • NVIDIA H100
  • EPINOVA

Subjects

  • Network theory
  • International political economy
  • Strategic studies
  • Systems theory
  • AI governance
  • Technology governance
  • Semiconductor export controls
  • Interdependence
  • Power theory
  • Complex systems
  • Security studies
  • Public policy

Recommended citation

Wu, S. (2026). Beyond Centrality: Conditional Connectivity and Boundary Control in Interdependent Networks (EPINOVA Working Paper No. EPINOVA–WP–T–2026–01). Global AI Governance and Policy Research Center, EPINOVA LLC. https://doi.org/10.67037/epinova.wp.t.2026.01

APA citation

Wu, S. (2026). Beyond centrality: Conditional connectivity and boundary control in interdependent networks. EPINOVA Working Paper Series, EPINOVA-WP-T-2026-001. Global AI Governance and Policy Research Center, EPINOVA LLC. https://doi.org/10.67037/epinova.wp.t.2026.01.

Alternate identifiers

SchemeIdentifierDescription
URLhttps://epinova.org/working-papersOfficial EPINOVA working papers page
EPINOVA working paper numberEPINOVA–WP–T–2026–01Working paper number printed in the PDF
File nameBeyond Centrality Conditional Connectivity, Boundary Control, and Systemic Power in Interdependent Networks.pdfSource PDF file name
Framework acronymNBNSNode-Boundary-Network-System framework
Analytical conceptConditional usabilityActor-, function-, direction-, and time-specific usability of a relation or transition
Analytical conceptBoundary powerCapacity to alter indexed admissibility conditions for relations, resources, information, authority, or functions across domains
Analytical conceptSystemic powerAttributable capacity to deliberately produce durable changes in rules, interoperability, architecture, or functional reproduction across networks

Related works

RelationIdentifierTypeDescription
IsPartOfhttps://epinova.org/working-papersPublication seriesEPINOVA Working Paper Series
IsSupplementedByhttps://github.com/EPINOVALLC/EPINOVA-ResearchRepositorySupplementary repository and structural archive
ReferencesFarrell, H., & Newman, A. L. (2019). Weaponized interdependenceJournal articleNear-neighbor theory used as a strong baseline for jurisdictional and institutional conversion of centrality into leverage
ReferencesBeaumier, G., & Cartwright, M. (2024). Cross-network weaponization in the semiconductor supply chainJournal articleNear-neighbor theory used as a baseline for cross-network leverage in semiconductor supply chains
ReferencesHu et al. (2019). Guide to attribute based access controlTechnical reportReferenced for fine-grained subject/object/operation/environment authorization logic
ReferencesSchlager, E., & Ostrom, E. (1992). Property-rights regimes and natural resourcesJournal articleReferenced for the bundle-of-rights logic adapted to boundary control
ReferencesNVIDIA Corporation. (2022a, 2022b, 2024)Corporate filingsUsed for the A100/H100 semiconductor-control coding walkthrough

References

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